Letter I c. 1520

Editor: This diminutive woodcut, "Letter I," is by an anonymous artist. The detail is really striking for something so small. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: Its function likely dictated its form. Consider where such a small, mass-produced image might appear, and what purpose it might serve in the broader context of printing and literacy. Editor: So, maybe part of a larger text, like an illuminated manuscript but printed? Curator: Exactly. Think about the social impact of easily reproducible images and text, versus individually created works. How did the printing press democratize art and knowledge? Editor: That gives me a new way to think about how art functions in society. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It’s a fascinating glimpse into the changing role of art.