Letter A c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have Letter A, an anonymous work held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a folksy quality, almost like a playing card. The thick lines and simple forms are striking. Curator: Indeed. Images like these were often components of early printed books. The lack of known authorship speaks volumes about art production outside recognized artistic circles. Editor: Look at the layering of imagery within the letter itself: a figure at what could be a window, a city, perhaps an angel. It's a world within a world. I'm curious about the woodcutting process and the skill it took to carve such detail at this scale. Curator: And who were the consumers? Were these affordable enough for the masses? These are crucial questions for understanding its societal impact. Editor: Right. Examining the materials and labor helps us appreciate the social life of these objects. Curator: The politics of literacy and access to information come to mind. It's a fascinating artifact. Editor: Absolutely. There's something captivating about its handmade feel.