Letter O c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have an intriguing woodcut titled "Letter O," by an anonymous artist, residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, the figure's struggle within the letter grabs you – such pronounced musculature and tension rendered with stark lines. Curator: The image likely functioned as part of a larger alphabet series, possibly illustrating moral lessons or historical narratives accessible through print culture. Editor: I’m drawn to the labor evident in the cross-hatching. Think of the physical demands to carve that image, and how that process informs the content. Curator: Indeed, the labor is central. And it invites discussion regarding the politics of disseminating knowledge. Editor: Exactly. The print’s accessibility meant more could access, consume, and be influenced by these visuals, shifting existing power structures. Food for thought.