Letter S c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have a small, intriguing print called "Letter S," authorship currently attributed to Anonymous. Editor: The rough texture of the paper and the density of the ink give it a real sense of weight. It feels like it was made to be used, to be repeated. Curator: It’s a reminder that even the simplest elements of literacy were, historically, imbued with power and significance, carefully crafted and controlled. Editor: Exactly. Think about the materials needed—paper, ink, the block itself, and of course the labor to produce each impression. This "S" represents a whole chain of production and use. Curator: It prompts us to consider who had access to such materials and the knowledge of literacy in its time. It also is now part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: Right, from functional object to precious artifact. It is interesting to trace its path through production, consumption, and finally, institutional preservation.