Letter S c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have an anonymous artwork titled "Letter S." It looks like a woodcut, and the letter is surrounded by foliage. What narratives do you think this piece is trying to convey? Curator: Consider that even something as seemingly straightforward as a letter can be imbued with meaning. In what ways did this initial represent power and social standing in the context of the Renaissance? And how can we understand it in our contemporary world, where access to literacy and visual culture has shifted? Editor: It's fascinating to think about how much this little letter can tell us about shifts in cultural power. Curator: Indeed. It prompts us to reconsider the role of ornamentation and accessibility in shaping social hierarchies throughout history.