Tail-piece c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have "Tail-piece," by an anonymous artist. It looks to be some kind of print. I’m curious about the context of this piece; it seems incomplete. What do you see in this work? Curator: Well, "tail-pieces" like these were commonly used in books. Often placed at the end of chapters, they served as decorative elements, signaling closure and adding visual appeal to the text. Editor: So, it was purely decorative, not necessarily tied to the content? Curator: Precisely! The printing press democratized knowledge, but it also created a market for beautiful books. These tail-pieces reflect that desire to elevate the printed word through visual embellishment. Editor: That makes sense. It’s interesting to think about the social function of art within books. Curator: Exactly, and how even seemingly minor details like this can reflect broader cultural values and the evolving role of art in society.