Initial V c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have "Initial V," an anonymous work from the Harvard Art Museums. It has a gothic feel to it, almost like it was pulled from the pages of an ancient manuscript. What symbols or hidden meanings do you see in this piece? Curator: I see echoes of illuminated manuscripts, where each letter teems with cultural memory. The letter "V" itself, set within a framework of organic forms, suggests vitality and growth, perhaps alluding to virtues. What emotions does the letterform evoke? Editor: The "V" shape does feel triumphant, like arms raised in victory. It's like a gateway to another world. Curator: Exactly! It's a visual portal. Considering the time in which this was made, that promise held significant weight. Editor: I hadn’t considered the cultural weight of hope in a symbol. Thanks for helping me see that.