Letter T c. 15th century

Curator: So, here we have "Letter T," an anonymous piece from the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like a page torn from an old book. Editor: Yes, it does give off this really fragile, ethereal vibe. I'm immediately drawn to the texture of the paper. It looks so delicate. Curator: Absolutely. This initial 'T' is so ornate, it's like a little garden growing right there at the beginning of the text. It serves as a reminder that even the simplest of forms can be imbued with meaning and beauty. Editor: I wonder, what role do you think these illuminated initials played in the reading experience of the time? Were they merely decorative, or did they hold a deeper symbolic significance? Curator: I think they offered a moment of contemplation, a visual pause before diving into the text. They signaled importance and hierarchy, guiding the reader through the information. Editor: Almost like a visual anchor in a sea of words. It certainly gives the page a sense of importance, a weight that transcends the literal meaning of the text. Curator: Precisely, and that weight speaks to the power of the written word itself. To communicate, to last, to influence. Editor: And on that note, perhaps we've given our listeners something to ponder as well!