Initial N c. 16th century

Editor: This is a woodcut, “Initial N,” by an anonymous artist. It looks medieval. I’m struck by how the stark black and white creates such a bold statement. What can you tell me about its cultural significance? Curator: These initial letters were originally used to mark the beginning of chapters in printed books, giving prominence to text. How do you think access to books, and therefore literacy, shaped society at the time? Editor: That’s fascinating. It makes me think about how something as simple as letter design can signify shifts in knowledge and power. Curator: Exactly! It's interesting to consider the democratization of knowledge that was enabled by this technology.