Initial S c. 16th century

Editor: This is "Initial S," artist unknown, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like a woodblock print, maybe for illuminating a manuscript? What do you see in its simple form? Curator: The stark contrast points to a fascinating production process. Think about the labor involved in carving that block. The material itself, likely a common wood, speaks to widespread accessibility. How does its potential use in mass production affect its value as art? Editor: I hadn't considered the labor involved; it does seem like a very involved process. Curator: Exactly. It also makes us question the separation between craft and fine art. Both involve skilled labor and material transformation. It asks us to reconsider our definitions of art. Editor: That's a fresh perspective, I’ll think of that again!