Letter D c. 16th century

Curator: We're looking at an intriguing woodcut, "Letter D," by an anonymous artist. Editor: Ooh, I love this! It feels ancient, like something pulled from a medieval bestiary. There's a real sense of mystery. Curator: Consider the labor involved in meticulously carving each line. How it democratized imagery in its time, making visual elements accessible beyond the elite. Editor: And the texture! You can almost feel the grain of the wood and the pressure of the press. It feels powerful and raw, like stories waiting to be told. I imagine this appearing at the beginning of an illuminated manuscript. Curator: Precisely. Each impression carries the weight of craft, connecting us to a lineage of artisans and the spread of literacy. Editor: It's a tiny window into a whole world. Curator: Yes. A simple initial opens up avenues to understand production, distribution, and the very fabric of its society. Editor: I feel like I can see a new story every time I look.