Capital S c. 1527

Editor: Here we have an anonymous woodcut simply titled "Capital S," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The letter is ornate, almost like it’s blooming. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: It's interesting how a simple letter can become a site of artistic and social expression. These decorated initials were common in printed books, weren't they? Editor: Yes, I guess they were! Curator: Think about how this 'S' functions within the broader context of literacy and power. Who had access to these books, and what kind of authority did the printed word carry? How does this ornamentation affect our perception of the text itself? Editor: So the decoration adds a layer of meaning about access to information? Curator: Precisely. And who decided what imagery would accompany that text? Editor: That gives me a whole new perspective! Thanks!