Letter S c. 15th century

Editor: This is an anonymous woodcut print of the letter "S" from the Harvard Art Museums. It's quite decorative. What symbols do you see at play in it? Curator: The letter S, especially adorned in this elaborate way, hints at status, secrets, stories—the initial of a name, a place, a concept. The floral elements weaving around it evoke growth and life, yet the stark black and white lends a sense of formality. Do you think this letter was used for religious or secular purposes? Editor: Possibly religious, given the formality. It feels very illuminated manuscript to me. Curator: Exactly. It speaks of cultural memory, doesn't it? The S becomes more than just a letter; it's a gateway to a world of meaning, accessible through its visual language. Editor: I hadn't considered that level of symbolism before. Thanks for illuminating that for me. Curator: My pleasure. Every image carries echoes of its past.