Letter S c. 16th century

Curator: This piece, titled "Letter S," is an anonymous work housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels almost like a dream, doesn’t it? The letter itself seems to be growing out of some hidden, fertile place. Editor: Absolutely, and it’s meticulously crafted. Look at the labor involved in the precise carving of this block—presumably wood, given the line quality? It's dense with symbolism, but first and foremost, it's a product of skilled labor. Curator: Yes, the anonymous nature makes you wonder about the artist's intention. Was this a commission, a personal project, or even a collaborative effort? It sparks a lot of questions. Editor: And it makes you consider its use. Was it functional, as a bookplate, or purely decorative? The material choices and production methods really drive the interpretation here. Curator: I’m captivated by its imaginative world. It reminds me that art isn't just about the visible, but also about the invisible realms we create within ourselves. Editor: Exactly. By considering the tangible processes, we get closer to understanding the intangible ideas these forms might convey about labor, hierarchy, and craft.