Leaf from a Manual of Letter-Writing, Written Possibly by Frate Vespasiano Minoritano c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have a "Leaf from a Manual of Letter-Writing," by an anonymous artist. It's difficult to put a date on it. The elegant script gives it a formal, almost stately feel. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a direct link to power structures. Manuals like this weren't just about penmanship; they were about controlling communication, dictating who had access to knowledge and influence. Notice the emphasis on classical philosophers and powerful emperors. Who gets to write, and what they are allowed to write, becomes a political act. Editor: So, it’s more than just a writing sample? Curator: Precisely. It is a tool for social regulation. By standardizing letter-writing, the ruling class reinforced its authority and suppressed dissident voices. Editor: I never considered handwriting as a form of social control! It makes you wonder about who was excluded from this system. Curator: Exactly. And how these structures of exclusion persist today.