Letter I c. 16th century

Curator: This intricately designed woodcut, "Letter I," comes to us from an anonymous hand, though its home is now here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Its stark black-and-white contrast gives it a powerful, almost graphic quality. The flourishes and figures feel both classical and quite imposing. Curator: Consider the labor involved in its creation; each line meticulously carved, suggesting a broader context of skilled artisans producing printed materials. Editor: The 'I' is cleverly integrated with figures, and I see urns, flowing into these organic swirls—it’s like a controlled explosion of line work. Curator: The means of production, the woodcut technique, reveals the democratization of knowledge through printed letters. Editor: And that initial itself; its verticality is undeniable, a statement of purpose and artistic intent. Curator: A single letter can reveal so much about a society's values and methods, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely, and its visual form underscores the power inherent within language itself.