Letter S c. 16th century

Curator: Let’s explore this intriguing "Letter S," an anonymous work housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. The letter is surrounded by a detailed floral design. Editor: Whoa, it's like a secret garden alphabet! So intricate, feels almost meditative. Makes you wonder about the story behind it, doesn’t it? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the process—each line, each dot meticulously placed. The labor! Someone, somewhere, saw value in elevating a single letter, perhaps for mass production? Editor: Maybe they were just really into "S's?" Seriously though, it's cool how it blurs the line between a simple letter and something... sacred, almost. Like a visual spell. Curator: Or a very practical printing press? The lack of a known artist also forces us to consider collective creativity over individual genius, highlighting the material conditions. Editor: I get you, but there's a soul in there, too. Think about the anonymous artisans pouring their skill into functional pieces. I wonder what secrets that letter holds. Curator: Precisely. The "Letter S" prompts us to question how we value labor and craftsmanship, even—or especially—when separated from individual fame. Editor: Indeed. It makes us look at something so familiar from a completely new perspective.