Letter M c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have "Letter M," an undated piece by an anonymous artist, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like a woodcut, maybe? What stands out to me is the dense, almost textile-like quality of the black ink. What do you make of it? Curator: The texture is key, isn’t it? Consider the labor involved in carving the block, the pressure applied during printing, and the paper itself. This wasn't merely about aesthetics; it was a material process tied to production. How might its original use have influenced its creation? Editor: So, thinking about its purpose, maybe part of a larger text... it changes how we see it. Curator: Exactly. We move beyond individual expression to consider the socio-economic context of its creation and consumption. Something to keep in mind.