Capital S c. 1527

Curator: Here we have "Capital S," an anonymous work held at the Harvard Art Museums. There isn't a date available for the piece, but it is clearly a woodblock print of the letter "S." Editor: It feels incredibly intimate, like a secret page from a medieval botanical text. The crisp black ink against the aged paper whispers of ancient knowledge. Curator: These illuminated initials were common in early printed books, adding a decorative flair reminiscent of hand-painted manuscripts. Editor: I find it fascinating how this single letter, adorned with flora, points to broader questions of literacy, access to knowledge, and the power structures embedded within those systems. Who had the privilege of reading and interpreting these texts? Curator: Indeed. The elaborate detail elevates the letter beyond mere function, signifying status and the value placed on the written word. Editor: It’s a beautiful reminder of the tangible roots of language, a physical manifestation of the ideas that shape our world. I see so much potential in this letter. Curator: It certainly is. This piece offers a small, yet potent, glimpse into the history of typography and book production.