Letter P c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have "Letter P" by an anonymous artist, a black and white print. I'm struck by the density of the image. What can you tell me about the methods that were used to create this? Curator: Looking at this print, consider the labor involved in carving the block. The density you noted speaks to both the skill and the time commitment. How might the production of these illuminated letters been integrated into social practices of the time? Editor: It makes me think about the pre-printing press era, where such detail was the norm, reflecting a different relationship to labor and value. I wonder, how would this image have been received by different social classes? Curator: Exactly. Think about the consumption of illuminated manuscripts. This print provides us with an understanding of material accessibility across various social strata.