Letter I c. 16th century

Editor: This is "Letter I" by an anonymous artist. It looks like a woodcut, maybe used in a book. The crowd of figures around the central reader feels very communal. What can you tell me about its social context? Curator: Consider where imagery like this circulated. Who had access to books and learning at the time? This initial highlights not just literacy but also perhaps the power structures surrounding knowledge and its dissemination. The image suggests a community gathered around the written word, but who is included, and who is excluded? Editor: So, this image is not just about reading, but also about the politics of who gets to read and learn. Curator: Exactly. It encourages us to think about the role of art in shaping and reflecting social hierarchies. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure.