Artwork
New ABC Booklet: M
New ABC Booklet: M 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
The print titled *New ABC Booklet: M* was produced in 1627 by Lucas Kilian, an Augsburg‑based German engraver and etcher. It presents a large, decorative capital letter “M” surrounded by elaborate ornamental motifs, with a diminutive figure perched atop the letter, armed with a sword and shield. The composition balances typographic design with narrative illustration.
Subject & Meaning
The central motif is the alphabetic character “M,” rendered as a focal point for an allegorical scene. The tiny warrior figure suggests a martial theme, perhaps symbolising the virtues of courage or protection associated with the letter’s sound. The surrounding swirls and decorative elements frame the letter as both a teaching tool and a visual spectacle.
Technique & Style
Executed as an intaglio engraving, Kilian employed fine line work and cross‑hatching to achieve a rich tonal range. The muted palette of browns and grays emerges from the inked surface rather than color, while careful shading creates texture on the letter, the armor, and the surrounding motifs. The overall effect is detailed and realistic, characteristic of early Baroque printmaking.
History & Provenance
Created during Kilian’s active period in the early seventeenth century, the print reflects his broader output that included portraits, mythological scenes, and anatomical studies. It was produced within the workshop of the Custos press, founded by Kilian’s stepfather. The work now belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Kilian (Lucas Kilianus Augustanus; 1579–1637) was a German engraver and etcher from the Kilian family of engravers in Augsburg.
