Artwork
New ABC Booklet: I
New ABC Booklet: I 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
Created in 1627 by Augsburg‑born engraver Lucas Kilian, *New ABC Booklet: I* is a black‑and‑white print that forms part of an alphabetic series. The image presents a young boy and girl positioned before an elaborately rendered capital “I”, surrounded by ornamental swirls and floral motifs, all set against a light background edged with a darker border.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a child holding a plant and a girl observing him, suggesting themes of learning and natural curiosity appropriate to an educational alphabet booklet. The decorative letter serves both as a visual cue for the letter “I” and as a decorative element that reinforces the didactic purpose of the work.
Technique & Style
Kilian employed fine line engraving to achieve intricate detail in the figures, foliage, and ornamental borders. The stark contrast of black ink on white paper highlights the Baroque penchant for elaborate decoration while maintaining the clarity needed for a teaching illustration.
History & Provenance
Lucas Kilian, a member of a prominent family of engravers, produced the print while working in the Custos workshop founded by his stepfather. The piece is now held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains a representative example of early 17th‑century German printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Kilian (Lucas Kilianus Augustanus; 1579–1637) was a German engraver and etcher from the Kilian family of engravers in Augsburg.
