Letter N c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have an intriguing piece: an anonymous engraving simply titled "Letter N." I’m struck by the densely packed imagery within the letterform itself. What cultural role did these ornamented letters play? Curator: These decorative initials often appeared at the start of chapters or important sections of text. The imagery transforms a mundane letter into a stage for storytelling. What figures do you recognize within the "N"? Editor: I see what looks like a satyr and another figure with a club. Is it about power? Curator: Perhaps. Consider how this image functions within a book: it’s a visual anchor, signaling a new beginning while also potentially alluding to themes explored in the text itself. What could these figures tell us about the stories they introduce? Editor: I never thought about letters having that kind of political and social presence. It’s almost like propaganda in miniature.