Alphabet for a Primer 

This alphabet primer was created by an anonymous printmaker. It's a single sheet, likely printed using a woodcut or engraving technique. The arrangement of letters, syllables, and even a prayer, all neatly organized, reveals the function of this print as a tool for literacy. The stark contrast between the inked letters and the white paper draws attention to the act of reading and learning. See how the material itself–paper and ink–enables the dissemination of knowledge, a revolutionary concept at the time. Consider also the social context of this primer. Who was it made for? Probably children of the privileged classes who could afford education. The primer embodies the values and beliefs of its time, emphasizing religious instruction alongside basic literacy. This simple sheet of paper challenges our traditional notions of art by highlighting the intimate connection between materials, making, and the transmission of culture.