Letter D 1536 - 1568

Curator: This initial, titled “Letter D,” resides in the Harvard Art Museums collection and is by an anonymous artist. It makes me think about who produced this and under what conditions. Editor: The intricate patterns create a visually engaging composition; the contrast between the solid letterform and the filigree is quite striking. Curator: Exactly. Consider the labor involved in creating the block and printing it repeatedly. Was this a singular artistic endeavor or part of a larger print-making industry? Editor: Perhaps the swirling foliate designs surrounding the cherubic figure allude to classical influences, but it's how the artist uses the contrasting patterns that most interests me. Curator: And what was the function of such a decorative initial? Was it part of a printed book, signaling a change in text or a chapter beginning, integrating craftsmanship into the everyday experience of reading? Editor: Well, regardless of its original use, the interplay between form and ornamentation remains captivating. Curator: Indeed, and the question of its creation and distribution offers insight into the cultural value placed on both art and literacy at the time.