Letter Q c. 1549

Editor: Here we see "Letter Q," an anonymous print held at the Harvard Art Museums. It has such a handcrafted feel. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The dense hatching emphasizes the labor involved in its production. Note how the decorative floral elements also conform to a system, echoing the letter form. What does this say about the social function of art versus craft at this time? Editor: It blurs the lines, doesn't it? The artistry elevates the functional. Curator: Exactly! It forces us to consider the hierarchies of value placed on different forms of making and their role in shaping cultural meanings. Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn’t considered. I’ll definitely look at prints differently now.