Letters c. 18th century

Curator: This is "Letters" by Carlo Nolli, a work held here at the Harvard Art Museums. I am immediately drawn to its texture. Editor: It feels weighty. This "C", crowned and cushioned, looks like it demands respect, almost like a grumpy monarch settling in for a nap. Curator: Indeed! The engraving, with its dense cross-hatching, emphasizes power. The crown, juxtaposed with the letter, invites us to consider the systems of authority embedded within language itself. The sword is also a symbol. Editor: It seems like Nolli is inviting us to question authority. The letter almost seems to be swallowing the sword, like language and literacy are subverting the instruments of power. Am I reading too much into it? Curator: Not at all! This intersection of typography and regal imagery begs us to consider the power structures that frame our understanding of communication. Editor: I like that, seeing the piece in light of the history of language and power dynamics really brings out new layers for me. Curator: Absolutely, and it's an important lens through which to view Nolli's work.