Letter Q c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have an initial "Q," created by an anonymous artist. It's so ornate! I'm curious about its purpose, considering the labor involved in making this sort of tiny detailed work. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, let's consider the means of production. The dot matrix suggests a printing process. It speaks to a broader culture of literacy and book production. What was the social context of creating and consuming this image? Was it widely available or limited to a wealthy elite? Editor: That's fascinating. It makes me think about the value we place on handmade versus mass-produced art. Curator: Exactly! It challenges that hierarchy. This seemingly small piece reveals larger questions about labor and consumption.