Letter C c. 16th century

Curator: This woodcut, titled "Letter C", is by an anonymous artist and is currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks like a secret society crowded inside a letter! All those robes and halos give it a strangely serious, almost forbidding air. Curator: The initial "C", framing the figures, suggests ideas of community and shared identity. Notice how the artist uses line and shadow to distinguish their distinct roles and expressions. Editor: Yes! And the halos practically scream "sacred authority", don't they? I see hints of palm fronds in the background, which evokes a sense of ancient tradition. Curator: Palm fronds often represented victory or eternal life, frequently associated with early Christian martyrs. Symbols such as these reinforce concepts central to faith during its time. Editor: You know, this feels like a coded message, a cultural artifact that contains layers of hidden meanings. Curator: Indeed, an image can be viewed as a portal to understanding both past and present. Editor: Right, so it's not just a letter, but a tiny universe packed with significance.