Letter N c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have Anton Woensam von Worms' woodcut "Letter N", residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels so playful! The letter is nearly overwhelmed by the cherubic figure blowing a horn. Curator: Indeed, the technique allows for sharp contrasts, emphasizing the letter's form and the details of the surrounding flora. Think of the labor involved in carving away the wood to create this print! Editor: But what about that cherub? It represents a herald, perhaps announcing something important, embedded within the very structure of language itself. Curator: Or, perhaps, it speaks to the rise of printed materials and how these could incorporate more decorative, playful elements, democratizing access to art. Editor: Whether divine messenger or a sign of changing times, the symbol certainly catches the eye. Curator: It's a testament to how a simple material, wood, can convey complex social and cultural shifts. Editor: Precisely, and how Woensam's imagery continues to resonate even now.