Letter S c. 16th century

Curator: The delicate interplay of light and shadow here is striking. Editor: Yes, this is an intriguing woodcut titled "Letter S," by an anonymous artist, residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Its origins are unknown. Curator: The botanical motifs intertwining with the letterform suggest a relationship between language, nature, and perhaps even knowledge itself. How might the social context of literacy influence its meaning? Editor: Consider the era. This could be from a time when literacy was a privilege. The ornate design elevates the letter beyond mere function, imbuing it with status and power. Curator: It speaks to the politics embedded within education and access, doesn't it? How those with privilege literally frame and define the narrative. Editor: Precisely, this initial, even divorced from text, broadcasts something about the possessor. Curator: Examining it through that lens truly enhances the experience. Editor: It invites us to look more critically at how we assign meaning through form.