Capital T c. 1527

Curator: Here we have "Capital T," an intriguing anonymous work residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately I think, tiny titan! So much presence packed into such a small space. Curator: Indeed. These initial letter blocks were very common in early printing. They served as decorative, eye-catching elements at the start of chapters. Editor: Look at those swirling tendrils! I love how the organic meets the rigid geometry. It’s like nature embracing structure. Curator: Consider how the letter, as a symbol of language and power, becomes ornamented. The block itself becomes a carrier of artistic expression. Editor: I see it as the beginning of something grand, a doorway into stories untold. Maybe that "T" will open a tale that's full of turmoil, tenderness, or triumph. Curator: A wonderful observation! It reveals the importance of typography within a broader history of visual culture. Editor: Right? It's about giving voice to the voiceless, and seeing beauty where others might just see the alphabet.