Initial A c. 15th century

Curator: This is Initial A, a small, anonymous print held at the Harvard Art Museums. The black and white contrast immediately gives it a dramatic flair. What strikes you first? Editor: The lion, of course! But beyond the figure itself, it's the symbolic weight the lion carries, a figure of power and nobility, particularly for marginalized voices reclaiming historical narratives. Curator: Indeed, the lion's image was widely reproduced and disseminated, influencing various communities through printed matter. Considering the means of production, the scale of the print allowed for mass circulation, thereby democratizing access to visual culture. Editor: And who had the power to depict, publish, and distribute such images? What sociopolitical agendas did these representations serve, and whose voices were silenced in the process? Curator: Excellent questions. It reminds us to examine both the art object and the structures that gave rise to it. Editor: Precisely. Seeing this lion, I'm left contemplating not just its majestic pose but also the unspoken stories surrounding its creation and consumption.