Letter Q c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have "Letter Q" from an anonymous artist, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as both delicate and bold; a striking contrast with the stark black ink against the letter's form. Curator: The letter itself seems to be fighting its way out of a thicket, doesn't it? Notice how the foliage almost consumes the Q, blurring the boundary between letter and decoration. Editor: Absolutely! The letter form, which is meant to convey a meaning, morphs into an abstract, organic structure. The Q itself, though, traditionally symbolizes inquiry, questioning. Curator: And that tradition relies on the labor of woodcutting, the physicality of carving away at the block, producing multiple impressions for dissemination. Editor: I see the persistence of symbols, even as their material existence changes. The letter remains powerful. Curator: A fascinating intersection of labor, form, and meaning. Editor: Indeed, a small piece that speaks volumes.