Letter I c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have "Letter I," an intriguing engraving from an anonymous artist, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. What's your immediate reaction? Editor: Chaos! A beautiful, ornamental chaos. My eyes dart around trying to find a place to land. It feels like a party, but I'm not sure what's being celebrated. Curator: The composition is remarkable; a playful arrangement of human and animal forms intertwined with architectural motifs. Notice the meticulous detailing—the textures, the line work—all contributing to a sense of layered depth. Editor: It's wonderfully unsettling. Are those mermen? And look at those strange little monkey-esque figures. I keep thinking this elaborate "I" must stand for something more. A secret message maybe? Curator: Perhaps. Or simply an aesthetic exploration, a celebration of form for its own sake. The artist may have been more interested in the visual effect. Editor: I prefer the secret message theory. It adds a layer of intrigue that’s hard to resist. Curator: Either way, it offers a window into the artistic practices of its time, inviting us to consider the possibilities of visual communication. Editor: A lovely bit of anarchy, framed so perfectly. I'm glad we stumbled upon this piece today.