Letter P c. 16th century

Curator: We're looking at "Letter P," an anonymous work held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought is how tactile it appears. I want to know about the block it was carved from. What kind of wood, and how many impressions could it make before degrading? Curator: It's fascinating to consider how these illuminated letters served religious and cultural functions. They often marked important passages in texts, visually emphasizing their significance. Editor: Right, and the labor involved! The carving, the inking, the repetitive printing – a whole system of production centered on this single letter, intertwined with the religious. Curator: Exactly, and the style itself carries political weight, emulating and reinforcing established visual languages of power. Editor: I’m left thinking about the countless hands involved in disseminating this single letter. Curator: It is incredible to consider all these dimensions.