Initial S c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have "Initial S," an intriguing anonymous work from the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels so elemental, doesn't it? Like a symbol plucked from a lost alphabet, all swirling lines and leafy shadows. I see stories in that S. Curator: Indeed. The initial letter is a potent symbol in illuminated manuscripts, marking the beginning of a significant passage, and this initial is embellished with foliage. Editor: Yes, and that flora speaks of something growing, of life pushing through, even within the constraints of the letterform. It makes me think about the secret language hidden in plain sight. Curator: That secret language is an apt metaphor. The initial visually represents the cultural memory and continuity woven into texts. Editor: It really does invite contemplation, doesn’t it? Like a whispered secret waiting to be decoded. Curator: An invitation to look deeper, absolutely. Editor: It feels like the start of a journey, actually.