Letter N c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have an initial, the letter N, by an anonymous artist. It looks like a woodcut, maybe? The black and white is very striking. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Well, let’s think about the role of printed initials. Consider the rise of literacy and printing. How did these small, decorative elements contribute to a broader culture of reading and visual communication? Editor: That's a great point! It seems that the letter represents more than just an alphabet. Curator: Exactly! These initials served a public function, didn't they? Editor: Right, this really brings a fresh understanding to a single letter.