Initial U c. 16th century

Editor: Here we see "Initial U" by an anonymous artist. It's a small, intriguing woodcut. I'm struck by its graphic quality and the faces peering out at us. What story do you think this little U is trying to tell? Curator: It whispers of medieval manuscripts, each letter a tiny stage for biblical scenes. Imagine a monk, painstakingly carving this, breathing life into the initial. The upward gaze seems to be looking for divine intervention. Makes you wonder what he was dreaming of, doesn't it? Editor: It really does. Curator: I love that the artist is anonymous, it makes the letter even more interesting, almost like a shared dream. Editor: Thank you. I’ll definitely look at illuminated letters differently from now on.