Monogram

A design composed of one or more letters, typically the initials of a name, used as an identifying mark. Many artists have signed their work with a monogram rather than their entire name.Examples:Roman, Chi-Rho, marble relief, Vatican Museum. The Chi-Rho is the traditional monogram or symbol for Christ. Also called the Christogram or Chrismon, it is comprised of the Greek letters chi (X) and rho (R), which together form an abbreviation of the name of Christ. it is often embroidered onto vestments and altar cloths, chalices, patens, and other objects used in Christian worship. Sometimes, as in this example, it is accompanied by the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet, alpha and omega, signifying Christ as the beginning and the end.Perhaps the most famous monogram of any artist is that of Albrecht D?rer (German, 1471-1528). He used it frequently as his signature on his works. The detail on the left is from the lower-left corner of the engraving Knight, Death, and the Devil, D?rer placed his monogram and the date within a cartouche. See Northern Renaissance.