Initial Q c. 15th century

Editor: This is "Initial Q," a captivating little print from an anonymous artist, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels so contained, almost like a secret garden. What sort of story do you think it might tell? Curator: Ah, yes, a garden of the mind! This "Q," likely from a larger text, whispers of medieval illuminated manuscripts. Each leaf, each tendril is a carefully considered gesture, a tiny universe brimming with symbolism. I wonder, what feelings do the contrasting black and white evoke in you? Editor: A sense of starkness, but also clarity. It's like a spotlight is shining on these delicate forms. Curator: Precisely. This visual tension amplifies the letter's importance. It’s not merely decoration; it's an invitation to contemplate the words that follow. It makes you wonder about the power held within language itself, doesn't it? Editor: Definitely. I hadn't considered how much could be packed into such a small space. Curator: And that, my friend, is the magic of art – boundless stories in the smallest of details.