Letter C c. 16th century

Curator: This woodcut, titled "Letter C", is by an anonymous artist and resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by its stark, graphic quality; the high contrast really emphasizes the materiality of the woodcut process itself. Curator: Considering this piece, I'm drawn to the idea of anonymity and its possible socio-political implications. Why wasn't this artist identified? What power structures were at play? Editor: Perhaps the artist was a craftsperson, more focused on production than recognition. The labor involved in carving each line speaks to the value of skilled handiwork. Curator: I wonder about the audience for this letter and the accessibility of literacy for them, historically speaking. Editor: It's a powerful reminder that even the most seemingly simple objects carry layers of meaning, material and social histories. Curator: Absolutely. Looking through an intersectional lens allows us to question these supposed givens and unveil the narratives hidden within.