![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wtoxnupxKsnSynPvnvegaHgCWF3mhK378qE9CPpoDvpKUE3CyunXHl3_HQJ_wUokKmbYC1t8s_Vr3UyBcBAnCALzlxgP0o1TEr7Ves5Mpys0jPf_vfGJkP-VuVStybI5ekX-a-Hx4Yw/s320/Grotesque+Alphabet+lower+I.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6ei1ZPjvuSVIs6fcPAqHU-bcP5_JqsE2GcXUcOM_s1AKIThqIZAfyjL6zoRplhvI8fEpF1b2-hXD7tgxgRnsJQ85Cd7yxs3sKWBCixvSt-W-0NwX6iNqp9MnOqDySVRExPVyQU9U2pA/s320/Grotesque+Alphabet+lower+X.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP37eps7UdFnL1xQ1DLbt3pc-pGQ0kpWxf3SIII6yDnmpSzarwOeTzdaRWVkwkzNfvcxuwlncjrl84boKOYaOYIhU_JrlNjXIo7SaPvHBFl59jw1VoOu04VNY0joVO4NSJRvut8sSk4O0/s320/Grotesque+Alphabet+lower+D.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nd09JA1UGZsHDEd2OlVkz5UZiyTAlCMhTv6-gPeS8scm__zlQQ1V6YqM7VJ5dHAuXhrNocJ3HbVI888ahPjqqKzcqnp0Ur8ARHdDuhoNxnuqDOD3osLe1jouUYJ6jUdKGlvG6XLdZFc/s320/Grotesque+Alphabet+lower+S.jpg)
Another series of engravings, this time depicting a "lower case alphabet with grotesque figures."
The prints were made by Israhel van Meckenem in approx 1465-1475, and he copied them from Master ES, a German engraver and draughtsman also of the 15th century.
Sadly the British Museum database states that no complete series of these prints is known, so we only have a few to admire. I did, however, chase up a few more prints by Master ES (via Meckenem), including this awesome playing card, the "ace of helmets":
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtY2BKaKFPHw4A4-TnzemtduO1ooQvhrq1pXNJdnKojv-jrW-16LSvtxyzIkw6h3OkVHjSo62zHxXAp2tPKe7IyBEi3iGV4pbrjQM6gSevyxfxW5C42SIb5s_UqW4vv49ak3UJje8Yln4/s320/Playing+card-ace+of+helmets+-Master+ES.jpg)
I'm not entirely sure what this is - I just know that I love it! Extreme body hair + tentacles + cudgel is a definite winner in my book. The description calls him a "wild man," which I suppose is fitting.
You can see more prints inspired by Master ES here, but I think the one above is the best.
I also found a nice collection of 'grotesque masks' on the database. This one is my favourite so far:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tL3vc5qAfa2VtwMQ9dTmIwv4HZ8KerFaungudiz6soGC4-DCMN-EwOMlKDMqt_UJA8UEpzhWD-G2praFD3KQIogm2wkC9RMgG3XQPGOEneweGjH9TsqrvZzLZe5Pr_ljLYTHkp1tkOA/s320/Grotesque+mask-+Aloisio+Giovannoli.jpg)
Aloisio Giovannoli (1550 - 1618) was an Italian printmaker and miniaturist who did a whole bunch of mask engravings. I appreciate this one in particular, because it's worn by a lady. Where is she going in a mask like that? Maybe a monster masquerade? I like it.
Ah well, back to work.
'Extreme body hair + tentacles + cudgel' - :)
ReplyDeleteI fancy doing a similar alphabet with people who annoy me :) Just kidding, just kidding (or am I?).
ReplyDelete