Letter C c. 16th century

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums hold this intriguing piece, simply titled "Letter C" by an anonymous artist. Editor: It strikes me as both delicate and bold. The floral motifs intertwined with the letterform create an interesting tension. Curator: The black and white contrast characteristic of printmaking adds to that boldness. It speaks to a time when even the most functional typography was imbued with artistic flair. We see that same ethos in the Lindisfarne Gospels, for instance. Editor: The flowers, though stylized, still carry inherent symbolic weight. Their presence softens the rigid structure of the letter, maybe suggesting growth, or creation. The symbolism feels very personal. Curator: Perhaps these images were also designed for political pamphlets, or religious tracts, functioning as an artistic element to make the printed word more enticing. Editor: I find I am left thinking about the hidden languages of flowers, and the subtle ways in which even an initial can become an expressive act. Curator: Exactly, and that's what makes this humble "Letter C" such a fascinating window into cultural literacy.