Letter L c. 15th century

Editor: This woodcut, “Letter L,” is by an anonymous artist. It’s intriguing how the letterform is integrated with the human figures and architectural details. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, consider the labor involved. Each line meticulously carved into the woodblock. The matrix itself is evidence of the production, and the consumption of the print disseminates ideology far beyond the artist. Editor: So, you’re thinking about the social context, the process? Curator: Exactly! How the material—the wood, the ink—mediates the message and reaches its audience. What is the impact of the print medium on cultural expression? Editor: That’s a great way to look at it; I hadn't considered the labor so directly. Curator: Indeed. Examining the material allows us to understand this anonymous artist in the broader context of production and distribution.