Letter C c. 16th century

Editor: Hans Holbein the Younger's "Letter C" is striking, a woodcut teeming with cherubic figures. The scene feels chaotic, yet contained within the letterform. What symbolic weight do these images carry? Curator: Notice how the letter itself is almost secondary? The putti, or cherubs, dominate. These figures, common in Renaissance art, often symbolized divine love, but also innocence and earthly pleasures. What do you make of their actions? Editor: They appear to be cooking or brewing something, perhaps a playful take on alchemy or even witchcraft? Curator: Precisely. Holbein uses familiar symbols to engage with complex ideas. The 'C' itself could represent cycles, creation, or even condemnation, depending on the viewer's interpretation. Editor: This gives a whole new layer to what I originally saw as a simple letter. Curator: Indeed, the beauty of art lies in its ability to hold multiple meanings across time.