Letter P c. 16th century

Editor: This woodcut print, “Letter P,” is by an anonymous artist. It's fascinating how the letter is constructed from different symbolic elements. What can you tell me about its context? Curator: Looking at this "P," I see the fusion of power and knowledge. The foliage could represent growth, while the serpent evokes cunning and even subversion. This wasn't just decoration; it was about embedding meaning into the very fabric of communication. How might this coded message reflect social hierarchies? Editor: That's so interesting! I hadn't considered the social implications of something like an initial. I'll definitely look at illuminated letters differently now. Curator: Indeed. Consider how even the smallest artistic choices can reveal underlying power structures and beliefs.