Letter I c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have a fascinating woodcut simply titled “Letter I,” created by an anonymous artist and held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: Oh, it’s like a rebellious mermaid garden party! Those figures flanking the "I" have such a mischievous energy. Curator: Indeed, the artwork is a prime example of the decorated initial letters that were popular during the hand-press era. These weren't just decorative; they often carried symbolic weight, speaking to cultural ideals. Editor: Totally! Those stylized figures, part human, part aquatic, feel like a commentary on the fluidity of identity, maybe? Curator: Or, consider their representation within the framework of early print culture. It's an intriguing juxtaposition of the mythical with the mechanical. Editor: I love how it brings a touch of wildness to the precision of printing. Makes you wonder who that anonymous artist was, whispering their secrets into the alphabet. Curator: Right, an act of artistic subversion in a way. I see it as a reflection on the boundaries between humans and nature, printed onto the page. Editor: I see it as the past speaking to the future. Thanks for shining a light on this piece. Curator: And I, on your interpretation.