Letter S c. 16th century

Editor: We're looking at "Letter S," an anonymous artwork here at Harvard Art Museums. It's so intricate, like a tiny stage with these figures acting out a scene. What’s your sense of what's happening? Curator: It whispers of old stories, doesn't it? Perhaps a tale of charity, or maybe even sacrifice. See how the figures interact with the "S", almost trapped within its curves? It makes me wonder, what narrative lives inside that letter? Editor: The "S" does feel like a container. I’d never thought about a letter having its own story before. Curator: It’s almost as if the artist is inviting us to write our own stories into that space, using their visual cues as inspiration. What kind of story does it spark in you? Editor: Maybe something about choices and helping others, or even about being trapped by your own limitations. This was so insightful. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. It's a reminder that even the simplest forms can hold complex ideas.