Initial Q c. 16th century

Curator: What we have here is an initial "Q," crafted by an anonymous artist, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's a certain contained chaos to it, don't you think? Like nature trying to burst out of a very rigid frame. Curator: Indeed. The dense, intricate ornamentation within the letterform contrasts sharply with the geometric rigidity of its outline. Consider the interplay of line and texture. Editor: All those tiny details! The eye keeps moving. It's not just a letter; it's a little world. Makes you wonder what story it was introducing. Curator: Perhaps a tale of genesis. Note the surrounding text fragment: "ro quod in lig/generat." Latin for "which in light/it generates." Editor: Light generating stories… I like that. It's got me wondering what other secrets are hidden within this little piece. Curator: A fitting sentiment. It's a testament to the enduring power of design and language to ignite the imagination.