Initial R c. 15th century

Curator: This is the "Initial R," a woodcut print from an anonymous artist. Editor: Oh, it’s darling! A letter come alive, all mischievous cherubs and a playful dog! Curator: Indeed. Notice the clear influence of the printing press and mass production here. We can almost feel the artisan meticulously carving away at the wood block. Editor: It makes you wonder what word this 'R' began. Romance? Rebellion? Curator: Perhaps a clue lies in the social context of these prints, often used in early books to signal new chapters or sections. Editor: So, like a tiny, rebellious act of beauty slipped into the mundane? I like that. Curator: It's a testament to the enduring relationship between function and art, isn't it? Editor: Absolutely. I'll never look at a printed R the same way again.