Capital P c. 1527

Curator: This woodcut, titled "Capital P," comes to us from an anonymous hand. It's held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: You know, it feels incredibly ornate, doesn't it? Like a garden bursting forth, but contained within this one letter. Almost a bit stifling, actually. Curator: Absolutely, and it's vital to consider the context of its creation. Initial letters like this were frequently used to mark sections within texts, often religious ones. Consider the power dynamics implicit in that placement. Editor: Power dynamics in a "P"! I love it. So, it's not just pretty; it's proclaiming something. It is like saying, Pay attention! This is important. Curator: Exactly! The very act of illuminating—of highlighting certain passages—reinforces their significance, and, by extension, the ideologies they carry. Editor: It makes you wonder, who got to decide what was important enough to get the fancy P? Curator: Indeed, and it highlights the crucial role of artistic choices in shaping historical narratives. Editor: Well, I know my Ps and Qs now! Curator: A worthwhile point, I think, to end on.