Letter W 15th-16th century

Curator: This is "Letter W," a print from an unknown artist, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as quite whimsical, almost chaotic. A flurry of cherubic figures entangled with ornate foliage, all rendered in stark black and white. Curator: Indeed, the image likely served as a decorative initial in a printed text. These sorts of prints were very common in early books. Editor: There's an interesting tension here. The letterform is almost overwhelmed by the figures, almost like the classical is clashing with this new world. Curator: That's a fair point. These prints show the rise of a new merchant class, but still cling to images of cherubs and the divine. Editor: Well, I've found that a lot of history lies in those kinds of intersections. Thank you. Curator: It was my pleasure.