Initial P c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have "Initial P," by an anonymous artist. It's a small, intricate block print. The flower inside the letter is so delicate. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, these initial letters were often used to mark the beginning of chapters in books. The prominence of the initial visually signified the importance of the text that followed, making literacy and access to knowledge a bit more performative. Editor: Performative? Curator: Yes! Displaying this level of artistry helped reinforce the power and authority associated with reading. It's a subtle form of visual propaganda, wouldn't you say? Editor: I never thought of it that way. Now I see it as less about the beauty, more about the power it represents. Curator: Exactly! It makes you consider who this artwork was really *for*.