This woodblock from 1652, crafted by Christoffel Jegher (c. 1596-1653), features the printer's mark of the prestigious Plantin Press (Officina Plantiniana), one of the most significant printing establishments in 16th and 17th century Europe. Now preserved in the Museum Plantin-Moretus in Antwerp, Belgium—a UNESCO World Heritage site—this artefact represents the intersection of visual symbolism, commercial identity, and early modern print culture.
The design includes a compass held by a hand emerging from a cloud, flanked by two allegorical figures: Hercules symbolising labour (Labor) and a female figure representing constancy (Constantia). This iconography encapsulated the press's motto: "Through work and constancy," reflecting the values of its founder, Christophe Plantin, and his successors, the Moretus family.
The mark served as both a commercial logo and a symbolic representation of the press's commitment to precise, consistent work. Used in notable publications such as various editions of the Breviarium Romanum, this visual identifier helped establish the Plantin Press's reputation for quality across Europe during a period when books were becoming increasingly central to knowledge dissemination.
Jegher, a master woodcutter who collaborated with Peter Paul Rubens on numerous projects, brought exceptional craftsmanship to this small but significant piece. His technical skill exemplifies the artistic standards maintained by the press, where visual and textual elements were integrated with equal attention to detail and quality.
The block stands as a testament to the development of brand identity in early modern publishing, demonstrating how symbolic visual language was deployed to communicate values and establish recognition in an expanding marketplace of printed materials.
𝌇 READ: "Printer's Mark", Museum Plantin-Moretus.
↑ ▢ "Drukkersmerk van de Officina Plantiniana", c. 1620. Printer's mark from historic Plantin printing workshop; Artist: Christoffel Jegher; Source: Inventory No. MPM.HB.08144, Museum Plantin Moretus, Antwerp.
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Copyright: Source materials belong to the public domain sources they originate from. See source site links for full rights and usage details. Materials shared on this site are used in accordance with Public Domain, Creative Commons, Open Access licenses, or applicable Fair Use principles. All rights remain with the original creators.