Initial Q c. 15th century

Editor: This is Initial Q by an anonymous artist. I find the imagery of shields, swords, and helmets really striking. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: Consider the means of production, this initial was likely part of a larger printing project. The labor involved in carving the woodblock, and the social context of early printing, elevate this piece beyond mere decoration. Editor: That's interesting. So, you're saying its value comes from the process of making it rather than just its appearance? Curator: Exactly. The materiality of the print, the cheap paper, and the act of consumption challenge traditional ideas about high art. What do you think about its function? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. It’s amazing to think about all the labor that went into something so small! Curator: Indeed, it reshapes our understanding of art and its relation to society.