Letter F c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have an initial "F," made by an anonymous artist. It seems like a woodcut, with a figure incorporated into the letterform. How do you interpret the inclusion of the figure here? Curator: The integration speaks to a time when visual culture was deeply intertwined with symbolic language. Consider the power dynamics at play: the angel, often a symbol of divine authority, is literally shaping the letter. What does it say about the construction of knowledge, its power, and who controls it? Editor: That's interesting! I hadn't considered that knowledge itself could be a product of such forces. Curator: Precisely! It pushes us to question the neutrality of seemingly simple things, like letters. Editor: I'll never look at typography the same way again. Curator: That's the beauty of art, isn't it?