Initial A c. 15th century

Editor: Here we have an initial "A", from an unknown artist, held here at Harvard Art Museums. The stark contrast between black and white gives the image a powerful, almost austere feel. How do you interpret this work, particularly its relationship to the text it would have introduced? Curator: It breathes, doesn’t it? Like a secret garden, it invites exploration. It's as if the letter "A" is not just a beginning, but a gateway, adorned with life. Perhaps this letter marks not just any word, but a word of profound importance, a sacred beginning, a personal revelation? Editor: I hadn’t considered the idea of a sacred beginning. That adds a whole new layer. Curator: Indeed. Each tendril, each carefully carved line, suggests a dedication, a meditative process. What if the artist saw each letter as a universe unto itself? Editor: That’s so thought-provoking. I'll never look at illuminated letters the same way. Curator: Me neither, there is something enchanting about each letter; it is an inspiration.