Letter H c. 15th century

Curator: Here we have an initial, simply titled "Letter H," by an anonymous artist. What strikes you first about it? Editor: It feels… contained, almost claustrophobic. The letter itself is bold, but all that swirling foliage looks like it’s trying to escape the frame. Curator: Right, the symbol of the letter is, historically, a vessel. What fills that shape, the cultural assumptions, matters just as much as the letter itself. Editor: Like it's a tiny garden, each bloom a secret meaning... a bit hermetic, don't you think? Curator: Perhaps. Though, for me, the letterform is like a solid post, holding back chaos. Editor: Fascinating how differently we see it! It reminds me that even the most commonplace symbol conceals layers. Curator: Precisely. An initial isn't just an initial; it's a doorway.