Capital S c. 1527

Curator: Here we have "Capital S," an anonymous artwork held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It's so contained, isn't it? The way the letter sits amidst all that busy detail gives it a powerful, almost regal air. Curator: Indeed. These decorated initials often marked the start of important chapters or sections within illuminated manuscripts and early printed books. Editor: It feels older than time, the sort of image that sparks imagination. How many stories began under its watch? Curator: Quite a few, I imagine! The image represents a bridge between the manuscript culture and the world of print. Editor: It seems so simple, yet holds an entire world inside it, doesn’t it? Curator: Absolutely, a small key that unlocks vast realms of textual and artistic history. Editor: The craftsmanship is incredible. Curator: A testament to the enduring power of words and the art that frames them.