Letter R c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have "Letter R," an anonymous print in the collection of the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Wow, it feels like a little world! Black and white, yes, but absolutely teeming with life. It looks like a garden took over the letter. Curator: Indeed! The twisting vines, each curling leaf, and the presence of small flowers speak to the enduring human fascination with nature's delicate forms. The Letter R itself becomes almost secondary, woven into the tapestry of life. Editor: Absolutely, it is that visual tension that makes it captivating. It begs the question, does the letter define the garden, or does the garden define the letter? It is a visual paradox. Curator: Ultimately, the letterform is an act of cultural memory, subtly revealing the history of art through a single, carefully designed initial. Editor: Yes, and I think that’s why it resonates – it's more than just a letter; it's a tiny, complete universe.