Capital N c. 1527

Editor: Here we see a block print, titled "Capital N," by an anonymous artist. I’m struck by the intricacy of the floral details within the letterform. What can we learn about this print? Curator: Given the medium, I'm most interested in the block itself. What kind of wood was used? How were the tools employed, and how does that affect the image's texture? I see signs of wear – how many impressions were made from this block, and what was its ultimate fate within the printing house? Editor: That’s a totally different way of looking at it. I was focused on the aesthetic, but you're thinking about the process itself. Curator: Exactly! The labor, the material, and its life cycle. These elements tell a story as potent as any narrative the image might suggest. Editor: Fascinating! I'll definitely look at prints differently now.