Letter C 15th-16th century

Curator: It feels like peering into a secret garden, doesn't it? A tiny world of leaves and feathers. Editor: This is an initial for the letter C, part of a series held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's by an anonymous artist. Curator: The bird is so central. Birds often symbolize freedom, spirit, even the soul taking flight. I wonder if it's an invitation? A call to the reader's imagination? Editor: Perhaps. Or a simple decorative flourish. Consider the period; illuminated letters served to elevate texts, lending authority and prestige. Curator: But even within that structure, the artist chose certain images. A bird, not a beast. Foliage, implying growth. There's a symbolic language at play, connecting us to generations of readers. Editor: I agree the natural imagery is lovely. I still can't help but imagine the artisan meticulously carving this tiny scene, adding artistry to the rise of printed books. Curator: It's a fascinating blend of the artistic impulse and the cultural function of text. Editor: Precisely. It reminds me how art finds its way even into the most practical corners of our world.