Initial S c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have an "Initial S" by an anonymous artist, part of the collection at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought? This looks like a woodcut meant for mass production; it’s functional, not precious. Curator: Exactly. Consider the socio-political context! These initials often adorned religious texts. The letterform, embedded with natural motifs, signaled something beyond mere literacy. Editor: Right, and the rough hewn texture! The labor involved is palpable. You can almost feel the artist carving away at the woodblock. Curator: Precisely. It's a democratization of knowledge, pushing against elitist notions of artistic skill. Editor: Still, for such a small thing, it's interesting how it was made to perform such a large symbolic task. Curator: Indeed, something to contemplate. Editor: I agree.