Letter V c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have Hans Holbein the Younger’s “Letter V” from Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a stark, almost primitive quality, doesn’t it? The thick lines of the woodcut give it a tactile feel. Curator: Holbein was deeply embedded in the social and political upheaval of the Reformation. This initial "V," featuring an elder, resonates with themes of wisdom and tradition. Editor: And the method! A woodcut demands direct engagement. Carving into the block is a physical act, each line imbued with intention. The labor is part of the art. Curator: Absolutely. And think about the dissemination of knowledge during that period. This "V" would have been part of a larger alphabet, used to print and spread ideas, shaping social consciousness. Editor: A powerful reminder that materials are never neutral. They carry the weight of history and transform the message itself. Curator: Indeed. This piece prompts us to consider the intersection of art, literacy, and the construction of knowledge in a rapidly changing world. Editor: Looking closely at the surface, the carved marks speak volumes about the era's craft and the artist's hand.