Letter P c. 16th century

Editor: This is the "Letter P," an anonymous work from the Harvard Art Museums. I'm struck by the intricate detail within such a small space. What can you tell me about the materials and process used to create this? Curator: Well, considering the lack of known authorship and period of creation, we can speculate this was made using woodcut techniques. Examining the paper fibers reveals the labor involved, and the consumption habits of the time. Consider the social context of printmaking: what narratives did it enable and for whom? Editor: So, you're saying understanding the materials and production helps us understand its cultural role? Curator: Precisely! It blurs the lines between craft and high art. Food for thought, right? Editor: Definitely! Thinking about the labor behind even seemingly simple images is very interesting.