Letter U c. 18th century

Curator: This is Letter U, an anonymous work residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Its small size gives it a delicate, almost precious feel. Editor: It's lovely! The figure inside the U—she seems caught in a moment of reflection, almost a melancholic grace. The composition is striking. Curator: Indeed. The anonymous artist likely conceived this as part of a larger series, perhaps for educational purposes, demonstrating early printing techniques and the mechanization of learning. Editor: It really does evoke an old-world charm, that dedication to craft and the little details. The contrast between the crisp lines of the letter and the softer etching within is so pleasing. Curator: The limitations of the medium are so apparent in the cross-hatching. Seeing this, we recognize that the act of production mattered as much as the image itself. Editor: It really does make you think about the hands that made it, and how much care went into something so small. Curator: Absolutely. It is a reminder of the tangible history imbued in the materiality of objects. Editor: It makes me want to find a fountain, stand in front of it, and wonder about letters.