Letter P c. 16th century

Curator: What strikes me first is the stark contrast. The black and white are so graphic. Editor: Indeed. This is an initial "Letter P," an anonymous work held at the Harvard Art Museums. Without a creation date, we can still consider its production. Curator: Yes, the woodcut process would demand a craftsman skilled in the precise carving of the block, reversing the image so it prints correctly. Editor: The design is a fascinating interplay of form and void. The letter "P" is quite ornamental, isn't it, with the floral elements nestled within its curves? Curator: The materiality speaks to the democratization of knowledge. The woodcut process allowed for the wider distribution of texts. It's about access and the labor involved. Editor: It does invite us to consider the unseen hands in its creation. I'm grateful for the reminder to think beyond the aesthetic surface. Curator: And I, in turn, appreciate your close reading of the image itself. Editor: A fruitful exchange, as always.