Capital Letter X c. 16th century

Editor: So, this woodcut at the Harvard Art Museums is called "Capital Letter R," by an anonymous artist. It's an intriguing image. It looks almost like it could be a page from an illuminated manuscript. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a deliberate act of cultural reproduction. The "R," adorned with grapes and foliage, speaks to the entwined history of literacy and power. Who had access to these texts, and whose stories were deemed worthy of illumination? Editor: That's a great point. It makes you wonder about the social hierarchy inherent in such a design, doesn't it? Curator: Exactly. It invites us to consider how even decorative elements can reinforce existing power structures. A seemingly innocent initial becomes a statement. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way before. Thanks for sharing your perspective. Curator: My pleasure. Art invites us to question everything, doesn't it?