Letter L c. 16th century

Curator: I'm struck by the texture of this piece. It's titled "Letter L", by an anonymous artist, and it resides in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The density is remarkable. The artist has created a compelling contrast between the letter and the floral elements. Curator: Absolutely. This likely served a very specific function, perhaps as an initial in a printed text. We should consider the labor involved in its creation. Editor: I agree. And the cultural context; such decorated initials were often symbols of status and learning. The availability of printed materials shaped literacy itself. Curator: It's fascinating to think about the role of such images in disseminating ideas and solidifying social structures. Editor: Indeed. It reminds us how much the act of reading was, and still is, connected to the politics of representation.