Letter S c. 1549

Editor: This anonymous woodcut print, simply titled "Letter S," presents a scene of children amongst foliage. I’m struck by the almost oppressive, dark hatching technique. What interpretations does this evoke for you? Curator: I notice how the children seem almost trapped or contained by this letter. Consider that this "S" could stand for "society" or "system." Are these children being formed, even deformed, by societal pressures? How does this visual language reflect the social constructs of childhood in its time? Editor: That’s fascinating. I never thought about it that way. Curator: And how does the symbolism change, if at all, when we consider the artist is unknown? Whose perspective is privileged, and whose is silenced? Editor: It really makes you wonder about the power dynamics at play within such a small image. Curator: Exactly. It's a potent reminder that even seemingly simple artwork can reflect complex social and political undertones.