Letter E c. 16th century

Curator: This is “Letter E,” an anonymous piece from the Harvard Art Museums. The work features a black and white illustrative letter “E” filled with floral details. Editor: I find the visual busyness quite compelling; the eye jumps from stem to leaf within the structured form of the letter. Curator: Precisely, the artist explores figure and ground relationships. The floral motifs are not merely decorative but essential components of the letter's architecture. Editor: It makes me think about the labor that went into it. The painstaking detail suggests someone deeply involved with the craft of typography and block printing. Curator: Indeed, one can interpret the anonymity as a de-emphasis of the individual, perhaps placing the focus on the universal appeal and symbolic nature of the letter form. Editor: I like how the density of the textures forces you to really look closely. It's almost meditative, to consider the time and energy spent to create this small print. Curator: A fitting reminder of the power of form and structure. Editor: And the quiet dedication of craftsmanship.