Letter I c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have an initial, simply titled "Letter I," by an anonymous artist, held in the Harvard Art Museums. What do you make of this image, at first glance? Editor: It's a lovely, contained burst of vitality. The floral motifs, symmetrically arranged, suggest a celebration of growth and order. Curator: Indeed. Initials like this, particularly in illuminated manuscripts, served a crucial function. They marked not just a beginning of a text but a moment of visual emphasis, didn't they? Editor: Absolutely. The flowers rising from their vases suggest a symbolic ascent, a blossoming of knowledge or spiritual insight, depending on the context. Curator: It’s fascinating how such a small, utilitarian piece could carry such symbolic weight, reflecting the values placed on literacy and beauty within its cultural milieu. Editor: Precisely, and the very choice of floral imagery links it to a deep well of associations—life, rebirth, ephemerality. It's a reminder that even the smallest detail can hold immense meaning. Curator: Thank you. A reminder that visual culture is truly a symbolic language.