Letter A c. 16th century

Editor: This is an initial "A," an anonymous print from the Harvard Art Museums. It’s so ornate! What strikes me is the level of detail achieved through what I imagine were fairly rudimentary printing methods. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a fascinating example of the intersection of craft and early industrial production. The woodcut, a labor-intensive process, was crucial to the dissemination of knowledge. Think about who controlled the means of production, the workshops, and the literacy this print enabled. Editor: So it's less about the artistic intention and more about the social impact of the printmaking itself? Curator: Precisely. The "A" is secondary to the economic and social context of its creation and consumption. What does considering the original labor behind this piece make you think about its value? Editor: It makes me rethink the definition of art itself – less about individual genius, more about collective effort and accessibility. Thanks for making me reconsider how to think about this piece!