Letter D c. 16th century

Editor: This is a fascinating initial, "Letter D," created by an anonymous artist. It looks like a woodcut, and the level of detail is really impressive. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Notice the labor involved in creating this block, the skill in carving away the wood to leave the letterform and intricate floral details. How does this intersect with concepts of craft versus fine art? Editor: It is interesting that it is an anonymous piece. So how did the production of this "Letter D" contribute to the broader visual culture? Curator: Exactly! This piece likely served a functional purpose – perhaps part of a larger text. The act of printing democratized information, impacting the production and consumption of knowledge.