Letter P c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have "Letter P," by an anonymous artist, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The detail is quite striking, it feels like a tiny world contained within a letter. What do you make of its imagery? Curator: This piece speaks volumes about the societal function of art. Consider, how does a seemingly simple letter, adorned with a goddess and animal, elevate language and literacy? What political or social statements might be embedded within this decorative initial? Editor: So, it's not just decoration? Curator: Indeed, art rarely exists in a vacuum. Think about who would have commissioned such a piece, and what purpose it served beyond mere aesthetics. It makes you wonder about the power dynamics inherent in artistic patronage, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. I'll definitely look at illuminated letters differently now. Curator: And I’m reminded how even the smallest art can hold big ideas.