Letter A c. 1645 - 1650

This is Jeremias Falck’s “Letter A,” an etching where the alphabet transforms into a playground of symbols. Here, the letter is not merely a form but a living entity adorned with flora and grotesque figures. We see echoes of ancient Roman friezes and the more recent Northern Mannerism. The ornamental figures recall the pagan symbol of the Green Man with vegetal forms consuming human faces, a motif widespread in medieval cathedrals. It reappears in Renaissance tapestries and even finds echoes in modern comics. This symbol, a powerful conduit of nature's untamed force, has been embraced and reshaped across epochs. The collective memory embedded in such symbols engages us on a subconscious level. It reminds us of the enduring power of nature, subtly influencing our perception. The letter "A" is reborn through Falck’s image, evolving yet echoing through time.