Initial C c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have an Initial C, an anonymous work held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a gothic sort of vibe. Very contrast-y. It feels weighty, almost like it's pulling me in. Curator: Initials like this served as visual anchors, launching illuminated manuscripts into new chapters. The letter "C" itself, brimming with possibility. Editor: It's beautiful how the shapes inside the letter seem to curl into themselves. All those tight curves, hinting at a story waiting to unravel. It almost looks like something alive is trapped inside. Curator: Consider the cultural power of the written word during this period. Literacy was a privilege, and such decorative initials signified not only the beginning of a text, but also its importance, its sanctity. Editor: That's heavy! You know, thinking about how much meaning something as simple as a letter could hold—it makes you wonder what our emoticons will mean to people centuries from now. Curator: A fascinating thought. It’s a testament to our human drive to imbue symbols with significance. Editor: I think I get it now. It really has a timeless feel to it, doesn't it?