Letter M c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have an anonymous print, "Letter M," at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s quite striking – the letter itself contains a whole scene! What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, consider the period. Initial letters in printed books were often elaborately decorated. They served not just a textual function, but a public one too: to showcase the wealth and sophistication of the printer and the patron. Notice how the drama of the crucifixion is contained within this form. Editor: So, it's about power and patronage as much as religious expression? Curator: Precisely. It’s a complex interplay. The church and wealthy individuals commissioned these works, shaping the visual landscape of the time and reinforcing their authority. What do you make of the figure on the bottom right? Editor: He's in anguish, almost pleading. I hadn't considered how that contributes to the overall message. Thanks! Curator: Exactly! It's about seeing the layers of meaning embedded in seemingly simple images.