Letter C c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have an initial "C," artist unknown. It looks like an illustration, maybe a woodcut? The detail is striking, especially considering the tiny scale. What can you tell me about how it was made and its context? Curator: Well, consider the labor involved. Each line had to be carefully carved from the woodblock, reversed, demanding immense skill. This wasn't "high art," but commercial work, meant for reproduction and mass consumption in printed books. Editor: So, it's less about individual genius and more about the means of production? Curator: Exactly! We should investigate the economic system that made such detailed yet functional objects. Were they valued at all? Editor: That’s a fascinating shift in perspective. I never thought about the economics driving these illuminated letters before. Curator: Considering the labor is just as important as appreciating the design.