Letter C c. 15th century

Editor: This is "Letter C" by an anonymous artist, held at the Harvard Art Museums. The image is quite striking with its sharp contrasts. I'm curious about the figure riding the animal within the letterform. How do you interpret this work in terms of its social context? Curator: Well, the initial letter, especially in illuminated manuscripts, often carried significant social and political weight. This particular depiction, with the figure seemingly dominating the animal, could be read as a representation of power dynamics. Who holds the power and who is being controlled? Consider how gender, class and race intersect within such a visual representation. Editor: So, it's not just a decorative element, but a loaded symbol. I hadn't considered the power dynamics so explicitly. Curator: Exactly. It prompts us to question the relationships of domination and subordination embedded within the social structures of the time. What is the anonymous artist trying to say? Editor: This perspective really sheds light on how even seemingly simple designs can reflect complex social realities. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, art is never truly neutral.