Letter P c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have an anonymous woodcut simply titled "Letter P" from the Harvard Art Museums. The stark contrast and linear detail are really striking. What is your interpretation? Curator: Considering the means of production, the woodcut as a medium allowed for the wide dissemination of images and text. The labor involved in carving the block connects to the social context of literacy and knowledge sharing. Note how the image uses traditional modes of representation while also being a means of mass communication. Editor: That's fascinating to consider. It makes me see the image's role in the world very differently. Thanks! Curator: Indeed! Examining art through its materiality and social function gives us deeper insights.