Letter Q c. 16th century

Curator: This woodcut, titled "Letter Q," presents a figure within the letterform, evoking a sense of the medieval illuminated manuscript. Editor: It's surprisingly austere, given the context you suggest. The linework is quite bold, almost graphic. Is that a saint, holding what looks like a book? Curator: The book is likely a Gospel, and the figure resembles a learned evangelist, perhaps Saint Quiricus, whose name appears at the bottom. The "Q" itself becomes a symbolic frame, emphasizing the divine word. Editor: So the letter isn't just decorative; it anchors the figure within a tradition, lending authority? The backdrop with town and mountain range almost suggests the extent of its influence. Curator: Precisely. The artist, though anonymous, effectively uses the letter to communicate both knowledge and spiritual significance. Editor: I hadn't considered that tension between anonymity and authority. It makes me think about how cultural production is never truly isolated.