Capital V c. 1527

Editor: This is "Capital V," artist unknown, at the Harvard Art Museums. The letter seems to grow out of a field of foliage. What symbols do you see embedded in this initial? Curator: The letter "V" itself, beyond its alphabetical function, acts as a vessel. Consider the subtle floral motifs; in various traditions, flowers symbolize ephemerality, beauty, and even resurrection. How might this juxtaposition impact our understanding? Editor: So, a letterform can become a carrier of meaning? Curator: Precisely. The "V," framed by nature's transient beauty, hints at cycles of growth and decay, reminding us of our place within a larger, ongoing narrative. Editor: I never thought of a letter having its own story to tell. Curator: Indeed. Each symbol carries cultural memory, inviting us to decode layers of meaning embedded within.