Initial T c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have an initial "T", crafted by an anonymous artist. Its visual impact strikes me immediately as decorative, almost playful. Editor: Playful, perhaps, but these illuminated letters always bring up questions for me: who was taught to read, who controlled access to knowledge, and what stories did that limit? Curator: Indeed. Looking closer, we can appreciate the composition—the "T" itself, bold and central, flanked by a figure and a swan, all enmeshed within a dense network of foliage. The symmetry is quite striking. Editor: I am curious about the choice of figures. A nude human figure paired with a swan could reference classical myths or carry religious symbolism, depending on the historical context. This interplay of pagan and Christian imagery was common. Curator: Precisely. And note the texture achieved through the linear strokes—creating depth and shading despite the limited tonal range. Editor: It certainly reminds us that even a seemingly simple initial holds layers of social and historical meaning. Curator: A testament to form and function meeting across time. Editor: Illuminating words and worlds.