Letter N c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have "Letter N," an intriguing piece from an anonymous artist, residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, it's ornate! It feels almost like a little stage set, with the letter itself as the backdrop. A touch theatrical, maybe? Curator: Precisely. Consider the labor involved in the meticulous engraving. Each line contributes to the overall density, reflecting a society deeply invested in both artistic craft and the dissemination of knowledge. Editor: I see those birds perched so formally, like actors waiting for their cue. Is it just me, or does the whole thing feel a bit… foreboding? That face at the top isn't exactly smiling. Curator: Perhaps that's a reflection of the era's anxieties, subtly embedded in an everyday object. The materiality of this piece--the paper, the ink, the printing process--speaks volumes about its intended audience and its social function. Editor: Well, I’m off to write a darkly comic play starring a letter. Thanks for that, "Letter N." Curator: Indeed, a potent reminder that even the most commonplace objects can carry profound social and artistic meaning.