Letter C

Art Historical Context

**Letter C** * Aubry, 1630* Engraving on paper, 20.8 × 16.5 cm (8 1/4 × 6 1/2 in.) Step into the intricate world of 17th printmaking with Peter Aubry's *Letter*, a delicate engraving housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings Department. Created in 1630, this small-scale work exemplifies the era's fascination with ornamental typography, where single letters like "C" crafted as standalone masterpieces. Often part of alphabet series, such designs adorned books, manuscripts, and decorative arts, blending artistry with functionality during the Baroque period's flourish of elaborate forms. Engraving, Aubry's chosen medium, involved meticulously incising lines into a metal plate with a burin tool, then inking and pressing it onto paper to produce precise, reproducible images. This technique allowed for exceptional detail in curves and flourishes, making intricate designs accessible beyond elite workshops. At just over 8 by 6 inches, *Letter C* invites close inspection, revealing the engraver's skill in capturing texture and depth on humble paper—a testament to printmaking's role in democratizing art. Though modest in size, this piece highlights the cultural importance of the printed letter in an age of expanding literacy and publishing. Visitors will appreciate how Aubry's work bridges calligraphy and fine art, offering a window into the technical prowess that shaped visual culture in early modern Europe.