Letter G c. 16th century

Curator: This is "Letter G," an anonymous artwork held here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a striking example of early printmaking. Editor: Immediately, I notice the contrast: a solitary scholar in a cloistered setting juxtaposed with these grotesque figures. Are they tormentors, muses, or just a decorative flourish? Curator: Perhaps the figures represent the inner struggles of the scholar? The labor of thought made visible? It has a devotional quality to it as well. Editor: Yes, the linear quality and stylized composition serve to flatten the image, emphasizing the symbolic over the realistic. The "G" itself becomes a portal. Curator: I love that—a portal! It makes me think about how much creative energy is packed into these tiny spaces. One could easily get lost in it. Editor: Precisely. These early letterforms were never merely functional; they served as little worlds unto themselves. Curator: Absolutely! It is still so rich in its design and message. Editor: Indeed, even after centuries, it continues to offer visual and conceptual intrigue.