Printer's Mark of the Heirs of Hieronymus Scotus. Venice, 1575 c. 16th century

Curator: This is the printer's mark of the Heirs of Hieronymus Scotus, dating back to Venice in 1575. It's a woodcut, and the artist is unknown. Editor: It's striking how much symbolism they packed into this small space. I see cherubs, classical figures, and some sort of sea deity. It gives the impression of a world obsessed with knowledge and lineage. Curator: Absolutely. Printer's marks like this were crucial for establishing a publisher's brand and reputation. The imagery speaks volumes about their values and the kinds of texts they produced. Editor: The positioning of the male figures, particularly, feels deliberate; considering the rise of humanism, this could be interpreted as an assertion of power, but it does feel rather exclusionary by today's standards. Curator: It's a reminder of the power dynamics at play in the world of Renaissance publishing, and the social and cultural biases inherent in the production and dissemination of knowledge. Editor: This piece really makes me think about who controlled the narrative back then, and how those controls are still echoing through art and culture today.