Printer's Mark c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have an anonymous work entitled "Printer's Mark" housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It strikes me as a symbolic representation of craftsmanship, perhaps guarding knowledge. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Printer's marks like this were crucial for establishing a printer's identity and reputation. They acted as early forms of branding. Consider how this image projects the printer’s values through heraldry and symbolism. Editor: So, it’s not just a logo, but a statement? Curator: Precisely! The imagery used reflects the printer’s desired association with certain ideas or patrons. Editor: That makes me think differently about visual communication today. Curator: Indeed. The politics of imagery have long shaped our perception of information.