Initial P c. 16th century

Editor: This woodcut, titled "Initial P" by an unknown artist, features a bold letterform intertwined with leaves and a flower. The stark black and white gives it a medieval feel. What meaning can you find in this image? Curator: Notice how the 'P' cradles the natural forms. Letters, since their invention, have carried not just language, but also cultural identity and authority. Does this particular letter or the flora evoke any specific historical periods or personal associations for you? Editor: I see some oak leaves, and I always associate oak leaves with strength and endurance. Curator: Exactly! These details speak volumes. The choice of oak, a symbol of strength, combined with the stylized flower, contributes to the overall message conveyed by this initial. It reveals how visual elements encode shared values. Editor: That's fascinating. I’ll never look at an initial the same way again.