Initial I c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have "Initial I," by an anonymous artist. The print is quite small and features a decorative letter "I" intertwined with foliage. What can you tell us about it? Curator: It's crucial to consider the labor involved. Someone meticulously carved this design, probably in wood. Was this for mass production or a limited, bespoke project? Think about the economics of book production at the time, the accessibility of literacy. Editor: That’s an interesting perspective. It makes me consider the social implications of something that appears so simple. Curator: Exactly. Examining the materiality and the means of production opens up a whole new way of understanding art, wouldn't you agree? Editor: I do. I’ll definitely be looking at art through a different lens now.