Letter E c. 16th century

Curator: Let’s explore this intriguing initial, "Letter E," an anonymous piece held within the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, it’s so whimsical! Like a secret garden blooming from the letter itself. There’s a lightness to it, despite the stark linework. Curator: The artist's skillful engraving produces a compelling interplay between positive and negative space, shaping the letterform with flora, fauna, and a winged figure. Editor: The figure almost feels like she's emerging from the letter itself, doesn't she? Offering a tray of fruit, a gesture of abundance, perhaps? Curator: Precisely. Note how the structural rigor of the "E" juxtaposes with the organic flow of the surrounding elements. A fascinating study in contrasts. Editor: It makes you wonder what story it was meant to tell, what word this "E" would begin. It’s lovely to see the old traditions of decorative letters and illustrations! Curator: A delightful reminder that even the most functional forms can be imbued with beauty and imagination. Editor: Absolutely, it speaks to the artist in me. A reminder to find the extraordinary in the everyday.