Letter B c. 17th century

Editor: This is "Letter B," by an anonymous artist. I'm struck by how the letterform interacts with the figures. What do you see in its composition? Curator: Observe how the stark black lines delineate form and space. The 'B' is not merely a void, but a structuring device. Note how the figures strain upwards, echoing the verticality of the letter itself. Editor: So, the letter isn't just decoration, but part of the visual narrative? Curator: Precisely. It dictates the composition, guiding the eye through a carefully constructed visual field. Consider the interplay of light and shadow—how it models the figures, giving them volume. Editor: I hadn't considered that level of intentionality before. Thanks! Curator: A pleasure. It reveals the inherent visual logic within even seemingly simple designs.