Letter D c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have a small, rather enigmatic artwork titled "Letter D" by an anonymous artist, held within the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks like a little dreamscape! The black ink on the white really pops, but there's a whimsical gentleness to the composition, like a memory. Curator: Indeed. The image presents the letter "D" intertwined with a figure – perhaps a Cupid – riding what appears to be a dolphin, set against a background of water and sky. The historical context of such images is often rooted in classical mythology and allegorical representation. Editor: The dolphin is almost like a lullaby, carrying this little figure toward the sky. I wonder what dreams he's bringing. Curator: The anonymity and isolated nature of this initial "D" also begs the question of the artwork's intended purpose. Was this part of a larger illuminated manuscript? Editor: It feels like a tiny window into another time. Curator: Precisely, and that is what makes this small letter so compelling—its ability to evoke questions surrounding purpose and context. Editor: A little reminder that even the smallest things hold stories.