Letter V c. 16th century

Curator: What a fascinating collection of initial letters! The Harvard Art Museums present this artwork titled “Letter V,” among a larger grouping, by an anonymous artist. Editor: They almost look like miniature gardens. The detailed borders, the crisp lines—there's a real sense of meticulous labor involved. Curator: Exactly! Consider the social context of illuminated manuscripts. These letters were integral to religious texts, commissioned by wealthy patrons, and crafted by skilled artisans. The material value extended beyond the ink and parchment. Editor: And the letter itself becomes a symbol of that status. I wonder, who was intended to see these? Were they displayed openly, or were they primarily for a select readership? Curator: The accessibility of these images and texts was certainly limited. These letters served as markers of social hierarchy and intellectual privilege. Editor: It’s interesting to consider how the function of these letters changed over time with changing literacy rates and different modes of printing. It makes you think about the evolution of knowledge dissemination. Curator: Precisely. It's a reminder of how cultural values are embedded in even the smallest material things.