Initial letter C with putto

Art Historical Context

This delicate woodcut by Heinrich Vogtherr the captures the refined artistry of 16th-century German printmaking. Created around 1538, the tiny square—measuring just under two inches—features an initial “C” enlivened by a playful putto, theubic figure so beloved in Renaissance ornament. Vogtherr, a versatile artist and publisher active during the Reformation era, specialized in such decorative designs that brought classical motifs to the printed page. Woodcuts like this one were essential to early modern book production, serving as both functional initials and miniature works of art. Their bol...