Letter D c. 16th century

Editor: This is "Letter D," by an anonymous artist, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like a woodcut or engraving. It's so intricate! What do you see in this piece that stands out formally? Curator: The tension between the solid, bold form of the letter "D" and the delicate, almost lace-like interior and surrounding ornamentation is quite striking. Observe how the artist employs positive and negative space. Editor: The contrast is really effective. I hadn't considered the negative space so deliberately. Curator: Indeed. Note how the dense, swirling patterns create a visual texture that both complements and contrasts with the smooth, unadorned surface of the letter itself. The interplay of line and form is key to understanding its aesthetic impact. Editor: Thanks, seeing it from that angle is insightful. Curator: You’re welcome, it’s a pleasure to investigate form and space.