Initial S c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have "Initial S" by an unknown artist. It is held at the Harvard Art Museums, and looks like an initial perhaps from a medieval manuscript. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: Oh, this initial just whispers tales to me! I see the black ink blooming around the crisp white "S," like secrets unfurling from the dark. What's caught my eye is how the letter becomes a little garden, almost as if words themselves could blossom. Do you see the leaves and winding vines? It's a reminder that even the smallest detail can hold a universe of beauty. Editor: Yes, I see it now! It does feel like a garden. I love how it combines the mundane and the beautiful. Curator: Exactly! It's a tiny testament to the art of patience and the power of small things.