Initial A c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have “Initial A,” an anonymous print held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The blocky forms and stark contrast give this initial a primitive, almost brutal quality. You can practically feel the cut of the tool. Curator: These initial letters were often used to mark the beginning of chapters, reflecting the rising literacy and the democratization of information. Editor: Right, and considering the texture and possible use of woodblock printing, the labor and materials suggest this wasn't exactly a luxury item. Curator: Absolutely. The decorative elements intertwining with the letterform suggest a deliberate attempt to elevate everyday typography. Editor: There's a tension here, between the functional and the decorative, mass production and artistic intention. Curator: It makes you consider the social forces acting upon literacy and the visual landscape. Editor: I’m left thinking about the hands that made this, and how it ended up here.