Decorated Capital Letter I
Medium
ephemera
Classification
ephemera
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1907-7-22-a
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Decorated Capital Letter I** *Jakob Frey (Swiss, active Italy, 1681–1752), ca. 1715* Ephemera; Smithsonian American Art Museum into the ornate world of early 18-century typography with Jakob Frey's *Decorated Capital Letter I a exquisite example of ephemera from around 1715. Created by the Swiss artist and printmaker who spent much of his career in Italy, this piece features a grand capital "I" embellished with intricate designs, showcasing the Baroque flair for drama and detail. During this era, such decorated initials were vital in books, manuscripts, and printed materials, serving...