Letter N c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have "Letter N," an anonymous work held at the Harvard Art Museums. It presents the letter "N" in a decorative, almost illuminated style. Editor: It's intricate! The density of the design around the letter form is immediately striking, it's teeming with life even in monochrome. Curator: Indeed, the image is a great example of how early printmaking intertwined with social symbolism, the very act of mass-producing such images democratized knowledge, but at what cost to craft and individual skill? Editor: That texture, the density of the lines, suggests woodcut; labor-intensive, each cut a decision, a removal. I wonder about the maker's hands, their training. Curator: Absolutely. Think about the social context; these illuminated letters often began manuscripts, asserting authority and narrative power. That’s an interesting angle considering the artist is unknown. Editor: Agreed. Seeing the process and the material makes its historical impact more tangible. Curator: Examining the process helps us to think about how this work has had an impact on many narratives that followed. Editor: Absolutely, recognizing the materiality anchors the social impact.