Initial S c. 16th century

Curator: This intriguing piece, titled "Initial S," is by an anonymous artist and resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. It strikes me as quite severe, with those stark contrasts. Editor: Indeed. The blocky, almost aggressive, letterform combined with those repetitive dots give it a rough, textural feel. I wonder about its intended use. Curator: As a decorative initial, surely. But consider the materiality—the woodcut process itself. Each impression reflects labor, a repetitive act of transferring image to page. Editor: And what impact might that have had on the reception of texts adorned with such initials? Did the visibly laborious process lend an air of authenticity, or perhaps accessibility, to the written word in its burgeoning public role? Curator: It’s interesting to think about it that way; either way, it is clear the hand of the maker is present, influencing perception and value. Editor: Precisely. Exploring the piece through its social context gives it all that more dimension.