Initial C c. 16th century

Editor: We're looking at "Initial C," an anonymous work. It's quite intricate, almost like a secret garden woven into a single letter. What symbolic meanings do you see emerging from this initial? Curator: Consider how initials, especially in illuminated manuscripts, functioned as gateways. This "C," bursting with foliage and what appears to be a grotesque head, hints at cycles. Do you see how the letter itself seems to be growing, evolving? Editor: Yes, it's as if the initial is not just a letter but a living entity. Is that head meant to be protective or menacing, do you think? Curator: Perhaps both. Grotesques often guarded sacred spaces, warding off evil while embodying primal fears. This initial could symbolize the beginning of a text, guarded by something ancient and powerful. Editor: That gives me a whole new perspective on the power of simple letters! Curator: Indeed. Every flourish, every detail, contributes to a rich tapestry of meaning.