Letter Q 15th-16th century

Curator: Here we have an intriguing piece simply titled "Letter Q" by an anonymous artist, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, he looks like a disgruntled king! The textures, though! It feels almost like burlap, a sort of coarse elegance. Curator: Indeed. Initial letters like this were often incorporated into early printed books, marking a chapter's beginning. This one probably had that function. Editor: So, it's not just a letter, it's a statement. This letter says: Prepare for epic tales! Or maybe just, "Quoth the raven..." Curator: Precisely! The use of imagery within the letter connects it to the text, reflecting social values, hierarchies, or even political statements within the content. Editor: Makes you wonder what book it came from and who first beheld him with the Q. Now that's the untold story! Curator: It invites us to consider the interplay between art, literature, and the societal function of both. Editor: It's funny how something so small can spark such big thoughts. He's got character, this letter guy.