Letter N c. 16th century

Curator: Here we see Letter N, an intriguing piece from the Harvard Art Museums, crafted by an anonymous hand. Editor: It's striking. The density of the foliage background and figure creates an almost palpable weight. Curator: Indeed. Observe how the stark contrast between the letterform and the swirling vegetative ground achieves visual stability. Editor: That contrast comes, I imagine, from meticulous carving and the physical labor needed to achieve that level of detail in the block printing. Curator: The figure strikes me as an interloper on the letter itself, a purely decorative device, though perhaps one that adds another layer of meaning. Editor: Perhaps the figure represents humanity's intrusion into the natural world, its own story entwined and competing with the natural. Curator: A rich interpretation, though I appreciate the inherent dynamism within the letter’s design regardless of such contextual narratives. Editor: A beautiful example of an artist lending the everyday alphabet an extra level of depth through the printmaking process. Curator: A satisfying convergence of form and content, truly.