{"product_id":"letter-n-urs-graf","title":"Letter N - Urs Graf","description":"\u003cp\u003eA sixteenth-century woodcut initial letter N by Swiss artist Urs Graf, featuring a figure integrated with decorative foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThis woodcut print displays the letter N, designed as a decorative initial for use in printed books. Urs Graf, a Swiss artist known for his work in metalwork, engraving, and woodcut, produced several series of ornamental alphabets during the early sixteenth century. These letters often incorporated figures, foliage, or grotesque elements to occupy the negative space within the letterform.\n\nIn this specific example, a figure is positioned behind the diagonal stroke of the letter, surrounded by dense, curling acanthus leaves. The stark contrast between the black background and the white lines of the woodcut creates a graphic quality typical of the period. The artist employs a confident, expressive line to define both the anatomy of the figure and the organic curves of the surrounding vegetation. Such initials were common in the printing industry of the time, providing visual interest to the start of chapters or sections in scholarly and religious texts.\n\nGraf was active in Basel, a centre for printing and book production. His work often reflects the vigour and directness associated with the Northern Renaissance. The composition is contained within a square frame, ensuring it could be easily integrated into a page layout alongside movable type. The figure appears to be in motion, a characteristic trait of Graf's draftsmanship, which frequently favoured dynamic poses over static representation. This print offers a glimpse into the intersection of fine art and functional design during the early years of the printing press in Europe. It remains a clear example of how artists of the era applied their skills to the production of decorative elements for the burgeoning book trade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/hours-of-queen-isabella-the-catholic-folio-238r-master-of-the-first-prayerbook-of-maximilian\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eHours of Queen Isabella the Catholic: Folio 238r - Master of the First Prayerbook of Maximilian — Master of the First Prayerbook of Maximilian\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/abrahams-hospitality-hans-holbein-the-younger\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eAbraham's Hospitality - Hans Holbein the Younger — Hans Holbein the Younger\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Urs Graf","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58181215748431,"sku":null,"price":37.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58181682987343,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58181683020111,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58181683052879,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58181683085647,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58181683118415,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58181683151183,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58181683183951,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58181683216719,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58181683249487,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58181683282255,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58181683315023,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Letter-N_Poster_CompositorV1_1783604343094.jpg?v=1783635326","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/products\/letter-n-urs-graf","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}