Letter P c. 16th century

Editor: We’re looking at an anonymous artwork titled "Letter P," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. I’m intrigued by how the floral design intertwines with the letterform. What strikes you about its composition? Curator: Note the stark contrast between the black field and white letter. This tension creates a visual hierarchy. The letter P is not merely a symbol but a structural element, almost architectural in its form. The eye is drawn to the interplay of positive and negative space. Editor: So, it's less about what the letter represents and more about how it's constructed? Curator: Precisely. The letter's inherent shape serves as the foundation for a dynamic interplay of form and void. The artist transforms a functional symbol into an abstract arrangement. Editor: I never thought about it that way. Now I see how the letter itself is the artwork's framework. Curator: Indeed, and the artist utilizes that framework to create something more.