Initial C c. 16th century

Curator: Well, hello! Take a look at this Initial C, it's by an anonymous artist, housed right here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: I'm struck by how contained it feels, almost claustrophobic. All those interwoven lines trapped within that little square! Curator: It's like a tightly wound knot, isn't it? There’s a real tension. I wonder if that was intentional? The artist, whose name is lost to us, seems so careful with the details. Editor: Perhaps, but also I see the legacy of illuminated manuscripts. It makes me wonder who got to create these, and the social structures behind the production of books in the first place. Curator: Yes, of course! It's interesting how a tiny letter can conjure up whole worlds of history and power. Editor: Absolutely. This initial isn’t just pretty, it's a tiny window into complex systems. Curator: It makes you want to trace the paths, unravel the knot and find the meaning, doesn't it? Editor: Indeed, art like this is a reminder to always look closely, and question everything.