Letter E c. 16th century

Curator: This woodcut print from an anonymous artist depicts the letter E. It's quite intricate, isn't it? Editor: Yes, it immediately strikes me with its density. The artist really packed it with details of people, landscapes, and that serpentine figure. Curator: It's fascinating to consider these illuminated letters, often found at the start of chapters. What social role did they play in early printed books? Editor: I'm thinking about the physicality of making something like this. The labor involved in carving those tiny lines into the woodblock—the skill! And the way this "E" is presented, the letter is a structure containing social commentary. Curator: Exactly! It elevates the common letter to a symbol of wealth and knowledge. Editor: Well, I'll certainly be thinking about the hands that crafted this next time I see one. Curator: Me too. The context transforms the image.