Letter D en de vier evangelisten 1683 - 1733

This engraving of the letter D surrounded by the four evangelists was made by Bernard Picart in the Netherlands in the early 18th century. The image condenses references to both classical mythology, with the cherubic figure at the top, and Christian belief, with the symbols of the evangelists - the ox, eagle, lion, and angel. Picart’s print makes visible the interpenetration of pagan and Christian cultures, and the historical processes through which Christianity selectively incorporated classical traditions. The word ‘Biblia Sacra’ is visible within the letter, suggesting that this image may have been created for the purpose of illustrating a bible. The institutional history of Christianity itself would therefore have been central to its meaning. Understanding the role of this image would require detailed knowledge of the history of Dutch religion and book publishing, using resources that would be found in libraries and archives. Ultimately, it is by understanding such cultural and institutional contexts that we can truly understand the art of the past.