Letter H c. 16th century

Editor: This is "Letter H" by Anton Woensam von Worms. It looks like a woodcut print, and it's filled with figures. I notice what seems to be a child wielding a spear. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This piece speaks volumes about the social position of children in the late medieval/early renaissance period. The child is portrayed as a hunter, linking him to masculinity and labor. Note the elephant, an animal often associated with wealth and power. Editor: So, the artist is placing the child within a larger system of status and work? Curator: Exactly. The child is not simply innocent but a participant in the socio-economic world. How does this influence your understanding? Editor: I see it differently now, the artwork has a lot more to say about cultural expectations. Curator: Indeed, art often challenges our preconceived notions.