Initial G c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have "Initial G," an anonymous piece held at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a simple woodcut, a letter "G" filled with foliage and framed by a decorative border. Editor: It’s charming! There’s something so grounded and familiar about it. Is it just me, or does this remind you of old fairytale books? I can almost smell the old paper. Curator: Absolutely! These illuminated letters were often the first thing a reader encountered when opening a medieval manuscript or, later, a printed book. They signaled the start of something significant. Editor: Right, it’s not just decorative; it sets the tone. The "G" feels so organic and full of life. It makes me want to write a lush, rambling story of my own. Curator: Indeed. These initials were critical to book production, and understanding how the printing process worked allows us to better appreciate the democratization of knowledge that followed. Editor: To think such a humble letter could spark so much! What a reminder that the smallest of things can sometimes hold the most profound potential. Curator: A sentiment beautifully embodied by this simple yet evocative "Initial G."