Letter R c. 16th century

Curator: This piece, simply titled "Letter R," comes to us from an anonymous artist and resides within the Harvard Art Museums' collection. Editor: Right away, it's whimsical, almost rebellious! The stark black and white feels bold, but the little cherubs soften the edges, like a punk kid wearing floral Doc Martens. Curator: The anonymous nature allows us to project various historical contexts onto it. Initial letters were often sites of intense artistic expression. Examining the socio-political function of literacy at the time provides meaningful insight. Editor: That's a great point. You know, it makes me think about power dynamics inherent in language, who gets to write the narratives, and how something as simple as a letter can be a battleground of ideas. Curator: Exactly! These early forms of typography were foundational in disseminating knowledge and shaping public discourse. Editor: I love that! It's tiny, but powerful. Kind of like a visual haiku. Curator: I agree, it's a reminder that even the smallest artistic gestures can carry immense cultural weight. Editor: Indeed, art really is everywhere, isn't it?