Initial V c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have "Initial V" by an anonymous artist. It is a small block print, and I'm intrigued by the labor it represents; it feels very handmade. How would you interpret this work? Curator: Considering the materials, the woodblock's inherent constraints shaped the final image. Look at the texture, the grain, the evidence of the carving process. The contrast between the black ink and the white of the paper draws attention to the materiality, shifting focus to the means of production. Editor: So, less about the letter "V" itself and more about how it was made and what it represents, historically? Curator: Precisely. It’s about understanding the work through its physicality, through labor and consumption. Editor: That gives me a lot to consider. Thanks!