Letter C c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have "Letter C" by an anonymous artist, a small woodcut print. It’s striking how this decorative letter incorporates a human face. What might this have signified back then? Curator: Consider the social function of initials in illuminated manuscripts or early printed books. These weren't just decorative; they signaled status, authority, and the power of literacy itself. The grotesque face challenges conventional beauty. Editor: So, it's a playful subversion of the elite, perhaps? Curator: Precisely. The artist uses the initial, a symbol of order, to insert a bit of visual anarchy. What does this reveal about the politics of imagery in its time? Editor: That’s fascinating. I never considered the social implications of something as simple as a letterform. Curator: Indeed, art's public role often lies hidden in plain sight.