Letter A c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have an initial, "Letter A," by an anonymous artist. The dense foliage wrapping around the letter gives it a very ornate feel. What do you make of it? Curator: Note how the black ink delineates the form. The negative space is as crucial as the positive. The artist's decision to entwine foliage with the letter creates a visual tension, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Yes, I see that now. The eye jumps between the letter and the background. Curator: Precisely. It challenges our perception of figure and ground. Editor: I hadn't considered the interplay of positive and negative space so deliberately. Curator: Paying attention to these compositional choices reveals a sophisticated artistic intention.