Letter C c. 16th century

Editor: This artwork, simply titled "Letter C," presents an anonymous piece from the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like a woodcut. It’s so intricate and decorative; I’m curious, what do you see in this piece beyond the obvious initial? Curator: Well, consider its historical context. These illuminated initials were often used in early printed books. The elaborate designs served to elevate the text, connecting it to a tradition of hand-illustrated manuscripts, lending authority to the printed word. Editor: So, it’s about legitimizing a new technology through familiar imagery? Curator: Precisely. The letter itself becomes a site of visual and social negotiation. How does the act of anonymizing the artist play into the perception of the work, do you think? Editor: Interesting. It shifts the focus to the letter, to literacy, and to the institution it represents. I hadn’t considered that!