Letter P 15th-16th century

Curator: This woodcut, titled "Letter P," is an example of an initial from an unknown artist. I find it rather striking. Editor: Yes, the composition is quite clever. The black ink creates a dense, almost claustrophobic frame for the letterform itself. The density of the lines certainly creates an interesting texture. Curator: Indeed. And consider the symbolism. The letter 'P' can signify so many things: piety, power, perhaps even punishment, given its historical context. Editor: From a formalist perspective, I am drawn to the interplay between the positive space of the letter and the negative space created by the surrounding foliate design. Curator: It reminds us of the enduring power of simple symbols. Editor: Yes, a powerful study in the relationships between figure and ground.