Letter C c. 1500

Editor: Here we have an initial, “Letter C,” by an anonymous artist. It's a small, square image dominated by the letter itself. What strikes me is the contrast and texture of the print. How can we interpret this work through its materiality and creation? Curator: Given the texture, it’s likely a woodcut or engraving, which democratized image production. Consider the labor involved in carving the block versus the potential for mass reproduction. How does the function of this decorative letter, perhaps for a book, relate to literacy and knowledge dissemination in its time? Editor: So, it's not just art, but a tool for broader social change? Curator: Precisely. The material and process situate it within a specific economy of production and consumption of information. This reframes our understanding of its artistic value. Editor: I see. Looking at art this way is a great lesson on bridging gaps between art, labor, and history.