Letter P c. 16th century

Curator: This intriguing piece, entitled "Letter P," is part of a larger collection of initial letters, of unknown date, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums and attributed to an anonymous artist. The letters themselves are all enclosed in a square or rectangle. Editor: My first impression is one of meticulous detail, almost obsessive, especially given that each letter is set within its own highly decorated frame. It feels like a study in the power of the written word. Curator: Indeed. These aren't just letters, they are symbols of authority, integral to the function and visual language of illuminated manuscripts and early printed books. These initials would have provided a visual anchor to text. Editor: And the act of creating such intricate designs, particularly if meant for wider distribution through printing, speaks to the democratization of knowledge and the shifts in power that accompanied it. These letters mark a change in cultural access. Curator: Precisely. They served as both aesthetic and functional elements, influencing how we interpret texts and the social structures they represent, even to this day. Editor: It certainly makes you wonder about the people who created and used these, their access to resources and how their literacy shaped their world. Curator: Definitely something to ponder.