Initial B c. 16th century

Curator: Looking at this initial "B," I'm struck by its compact, almost defiant energy, despite being so small. Editor: Indeed. This woodcut, simply titled "Initial B," is held in the collections of the Harvard Art Museums. Its anonymous origin speaks to the widespread production of such images. Curator: The negative space within the letter itself is just as important as the letterform, filled with foliage and perhaps suggesting figures. It hints at a contained world. Editor: Consider its original context. Such initials would have signaled new chapters, framing sacred texts, influencing readers and defining the aesthetic and spiritual dimensions of the page. Curator: The rough texture, the stark contrast—it feels less about individual artistry and more about the collective visual language of its time. Editor: Absolutely. These initials played a vital role in shaping the visual culture of the book, influencing the public’s relationship with text and image, and wielding considerable symbolic power. Curator: Looking at it, I think about all the hands this image has passed through, and the messages it has helped convey. Editor: A single letter opening up a vast landscape of cultural and historical implications. Food for thought.