Letter S c. 18th century

Editor: This is "Letter S" by an anonymous artist. It’s quite small and detailed, and I'm drawn to the figure intertwined with the letter. What's your perspective on its historical meaning? Curator: Considering its context, initial letters like this often appeared in books or manuscripts. The imagery of a figure integrated with the letter could be symbolic of status and power; perhaps a mark of the elite commissioned to publish the text. What sociopolitical implications might this carry? Editor: I hadn't considered the power dynamics. So, it's not just decorative, it’s also a statement about who could access knowledge at the time. Curator: Exactly. It makes you wonder about access to literacy and education, doesn't it?