Art Institute of Chicago

The Letter B, from The Alphabet

Master E. S.

Date

1466–67

Medium

Engraving in black on ivory laid paper

Culture

Germany

Department

Prints and Drawings

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Before printing pictures from engraved copper plates developed as a practice, goldsmiths and other metalworkers were the only craftsmen to use sharp pointed tools to incise designs in metal, decorating armor, jewelry, and liturgical objects. The first designs to be filled with ink and pressed onto paper appeared in the Rhine Valley around 1430. Known only by the monogram that appears on some of his designs, the goldsmith Master E. S. became one of the most prolific engravers in Germany. This rare print is one of 23 letters; medieval alphabets lacked j , v , and w . Although the purpose of the series is not fully known, the letters were likely intended to be designs for manuscript illuminators.

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