This decorative initial letter “B”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It features two skeletons, or death-figures, a dog and a pope. Some commentators say the dog is actually a demon, [...] [more...]
This decorative initial letter “C”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. it features an emperor in the clutches of two skeletons, or Deaths, one of [...] [more...]
This decorative initial letter “D”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It features a king thrown to the ground and [...] [more...]
This decorative initial letter “E”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It features a skeleton, representing [...] [more...]
This decorative initial letter “F”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. Two grinning skeletons, representing Death, are attacking an empress sitting in her throne; one of the [...] [more...]
This decorative initial letter “G”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It shows two skeletons, or Death figures, siezing a queen; one skeleton plays the flute, or fife, [...] [more...]
This decorative initial letter “H”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It depicts a skeleton, representing Death, dragging off a bishop. [more...]
This decorative initial letter “I”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It is also used for “J.” It features a skeleton (Death) in the guise of an old woman, tugging at a man, a duke, with his [...] [more...]
This decorative initial letter “K”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It features a skeleton representing Death, wearing a fur cap and mantle, and [...] [more...]
This decorative initial letter “L”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It features a skeleton, representing Death, standing on the left, [...] [more...]
This decorative initial letter “M”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It shows a doctor of physician in his study or laboratory, holding up a vessel. Behind him, Death (the skeleton) reaches for the doctor, with one bony hand on his shoulder and the other on the vessel. Or, possibly, Death [...] [more...]
This decorative initial letter “N”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It shows a money-lender, or perhaps a miser, counting his money; two skeletons, representing Death, have arrived: one [...] [more...]