Letter O 15th-16th century

Curator: Here we have an intriguing piece from the Harvard Art Museums, simply titled "Letter O" by an anonymous artist. Editor: It's charming. Immediately, I notice the contrasting textures – the crisp lines of the letterform against the softer, feathery depiction of what appears to be an owl. Curator: Exactly. The owl, often a symbol of wisdom or prophecy, is contained within the 'O', perhaps suggesting the encompassing nature of knowledge or destiny. Editor: Or, considering its likely origins in printmaking, perhaps a more prosaic connection to alphabets and the spread of literacy through accessible, repeatable designs. Curator: True, the materiality speaks to broader cultural shifts. Editor: Precisely. This small piece whispers about the larger world of production and the democratization of information. I find that fascinating. Curator: I agree. It’s amazing how much meaning is packed into something so small. Editor: Indeed, a testament to both the artist's skill and the enduring power of symbols.