Capital P c. 1527

Editor: Here we have an anonymous woodcut print of the letter "P," titled "Capital P" from the Harvard Art Museums. It's so small but intricate! What can you tell me about it? Curator: I see an interesting interplay between the labor of the artisan who carved the block and the purpose this "P" serves within a larger system of textual production and dissemination. The material itself—wood—speaks to the accessibility of this medium. Editor: So, the choice of material reflects broader social implications? Curator: Precisely. Consider the relationship between the cost and availability of wood versus, say, metal engravings. How does the woodcut democratize knowledge and artistic expression, influencing both the maker and the consumer? Editor: That makes me think about mass production and literacy in a whole new way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Thinking about art in terms of its production and impact is vital.