Letter C c. 15th century

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums present to you "Letter C", a small yet impactful work by an anonymous artist. The stark black and white contrast immediately grabs your attention, doesn’t it? Editor: It does. There’s something about the interwoven lines and floral motifs that feels both familiar and slightly unsettling, given its unknown origin. I wonder about the context in which this letter was created. Curator: Absolutely. These initial letters often marked important sections in manuscripts or books, representing the power of the written word and those who controlled it. Imagine the social and political implications of literacy at the time. Editor: And the flowers? Are they merely decorative, or do they hold deeper symbolic meaning, possibly related to class, gender, or even resistance against established hierarchies? Curator: It certainly gives us much to consider—the blending of art, power, and societal dynamics—revealing the complex narratives embedded within even the simplest of forms. Editor: Agreed. A reminder that even anonymous works speak volumes if we listen closely.