Letter Q c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have "Letter Q," an intriguing piece by an anonymous artist, part of the Harvard Art Museums' collection. Editor: Oh, I'm immediately drawn to the stark contrast of the black ink against the paper. It has a sort of medieval, woodblock print feel. Curator: It does, doesn't it? Notice the floral motifs intertwined with the letterform, and the tiny rabbit perched delicately within. I wonder what the artist wanted to communicate with that addition. Editor: Perhaps a commentary on the hidden vulnerabilities within language itself, or maybe the precarity of existing when being framed by dominant social structures. That rabbit is a powerful symbol. Curator: Or maybe, it just needed a touch of whimsy. Sometimes the simplest answer is the most delightful. This piece reminds us of the beauty in ordinary things. Editor: Well, either way, it's a potent reminder that even the most mundane elements can hold layers of meaning, consciously or not.