Letter T c. 16th century

Curator: It's got such a darkly fairytale feel, doesn't it? Like a twisted alphabet book. Editor: Absolutely. This woodcut, simply titled "Letter T," presents a complex narrative scene, framed by the letter itself. We don't know the artist, but the piece resides in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Curator: That sinuous snake curling around the "T" is utterly captivating! I feel like I've stumbled into a medieval drama, all shadows and secret meanings. Editor: Indeed. The serpent is a key symbol, often associated with temptation or knowledge, within a scene rife with power dynamics and potential violence. Look at the figures cowering on the left versus those standing tall on the right. Curator: There's something deliciously ominous about that contrast. It teases the imagination, doesn't it? Who are these people? What's at stake? Editor: Right, it speaks to broader themes of social hierarchies, fear of the unknown, and the narratives that define entire communities. It makes me wonder what the other letters portray! Curator: Perhaps each one unlocks a tiny window into their world. A beautiful, frightening thought!