Initial E c. 16th century

Editor: This small print, "Initial E" by an anonymous artist, shows a letter 'E' filled with tiny trees. It feels very medieval to me. What can you tell me about its place in art history? Curator: Well, the prominence of initial letters stems from a time when literacy was power. Consider the cultural weight imbued into illuminated manuscripts. How might this anonymous print connect to those traditions? Editor: So, is it about access to knowledge and who controls it? Like, the printing press democratizing what was once exclusive? Curator: Precisely. It suggests a shift in the social function of art and information. It’s intriguing to consider who made it and for what purpose. Editor: I see it differently now; less about trees and more about power! Curator: Exactly! Thinking about the social role of art reshapes our interpretation.