Initial O c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have "Initial O," an anonymous print at the Harvard Art Museums. It has such a strong graphic quality, almost like a stamp. How do you interpret its design and historical context? Curator: I see a fascinating intersection of power and accessibility. The floral motif, once reserved for illuminated manuscripts commissioned by the elite, here it's democratized through print. How might this simple initial challenge existing social hierarchies through literacy? Editor: So, it's not just decorative but also potentially subversive? Curator: Precisely. Consider the labor involved in hand-drawn initials versus the replicability of print. What impact might that have on access to knowledge and expression? Editor: I never thought about it that way before. It gives the letter a whole new layer of meaning. Curator: Exactly. It’s a small piece, but it opens up a much larger discussion about who gets to create and who gets to learn.