Letter N c. 16th century

Editor: This woodcut print, "Letter N," made by an anonymous artist, looks like it was intended for a book. The figures within the letter are quite striking. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I notice the stark contrast between the black ink and the untouched paper. The labor involved in carving the woodblock, the materiality of the ink, and its intended use for mass production really interests me. How might this artwork's creation and consumption reflect the social dynamics of its time? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered, focusing on its production rather than just its visual elements! Thanks! Curator: Indeed, shifting our attention to the conditions of its making opens up richer interpretations.