Initial E c. 16th century

Curator: Here at the Harvard Art Museums, we have a small but intriguing piece called "Initial E," by an unknown artist. It is a block print of the letter "E", filled with dense foliage and what seems to be a small creature. Editor: It feels a little claustrophobic, doesn't it? All that black ink pressing in, but the details are just lovely, like a tiny, hidden world in plain sight. Curator: Indeed, the contrast creates a strong visual hierarchy. The letterform itself is the primary signifier, yet the internal space is rich with secondary forms. Editor: I love imagining it marking the start of some epic tale, a portal into a medieval adventure. So much story packed into such a tiny square. Curator: Precisely, and perhaps the artist, though anonymous, intended to evoke that sense of contained narrative power. Editor: It is amazing how a simple letter can become such a world of wonder. Curator: Quite. A testament to the power of form and the imagination.