Artwork
New ABC Booklet: F
New ABC Booklet: F is a print by the Baroque artist Lucas Kilian. It dates from 1627 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
New ABC Booklet: F is an engraving created by Lucas Kilian in 1627. A member of the renowned Kilian family of engravers in Augsburg, Germany, Kilian crafted this intricate piece, now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving features an ornate letter 'F' enclosing a cherub-like figure standing on a half-shell, armed with a bow and arrow. Surrounded by lush, decorative elements, the composition blends symbolic and aesthetic elements, characteristic of embellished initial letters in period publications.
Technique & Style
Kilian employed a detailed, swirling style reminiscent of Baroque aesthetics. The dense, curly borders, intertwined with leaves and miniature architecture, exemplify the decorative flair typical of specialized letter designs in early modern books.
History & Provenance
Produced in 1627 within the Custos workshop, where Kilian worked under his stepfather's founding leadership, the piece reflects the workshop's influence on his craft. It is currently housed in The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Context
As part of the Kilian family's output and the Custos workshop's production, New ABC Booklet: F situates itself within the broader context of 17th-century German engraving, particularly the tradition of embellishing initial letters in printed materials.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of New ABC Booklet: F are not highlighted, its style and craftsmanship contribute to the broader appreciation of Baroque engraving techniques and the Kilian family's contributions to the art form.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Kilian (Lucas Kilianus Augustanus; 1579–1637) was a German engraver and etcher from the Kilian family of engravers in Augsburg.
