Initial K c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have a print titled "Initial K" by an anonymous artist. I'm struck by the stark contrast and how the white design pops against the dark background. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Notice the texture, likely a woodcut. Each mark reveals a labor process, a hand carving away at the block. How was this image consumed? Was it for a wealthy patron or mass production? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't considered the implications of it being a print. So, its value lies in its production and social context? Curator: Precisely! The means by which it was made and circulated are key to understanding its significance. It challenges the traditional idea of the unique art object. Editor: This gives me a whole new appreciation for what at first seemed like a simple image. Curator: Indeed, it’s a window into a specific time and method of artistic production.