Letter N c. 16th century

Curator: This woodcut, simply titled "Letter N," comes from an unknown artist; it is part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. I am struck by the labor involved in creating this miniature, from carving the woodblock to its potential use in printing. Editor: It’s fascinating how the initial, “N”, becomes a frame for various figures; the faces seem almost trapped, yet they hold a certain dignity within this constrained space. Curator: Indeed! The act of carving, itself, implies a system of production. Was this block mass-produced? What role did the laborers play in disseminating knowledge, when the printing press made books more accessible? Editor: I’m curious about the power dynamics at play. The letter form, typically associated with education and privilege, here presents figures who may be excluded from those realms. Is the letter N a symbol of inclusion or exclusion? Curator: Precisely. By looking at the materiality and distribution, we can infer the social conditions that made this letter both a tool and a product. Editor: This piece reminds us that even seemingly simple designs carry complex stories of representation and access. Curator: Exactly, a reminder that art exists within a complex network of production, labor, and social exchange. Editor: A miniature window into a much larger world.