Letter E c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have a collection of initial letters, simply titled "Letter E" and attributed to an anonymous artist, and held at the Harvard Art Museums. Each letter is uniquely decorated. What do you see in this piece that helps us understand its cultural significance? Curator: Well, these decorative initials point to the historical importance of illuminated manuscripts and early printing. The level of detail suggests the high value placed on literacy and religious texts. What role would these initials play within the broader culture? Editor: Perhaps they were used to mark important passages or to indicate social status through ownership of elaborately decorated books. Curator: Precisely! The very act of creating such detailed work signifies a cultural reverence for the written word, and, of course, a form of visual propaganda. Editor: I never thought about it that way. I now realize how much they signify.