Letter T c. 16th century

Curator: This striking "Letter T" comes to us anonymously, a little visual firework with unknown origins held here at the Harvard Art Museums. What catches your eye first? Editor: The sheer busyness! It's like a garden gate exploded around this stoic letter. Those little dragons peeking out are especially charming, aren't they? Curator: They are! And considering this was likely mass-produced, each one a little different because of the printing process, it's a small rebellion against uniformity. Editor: I suppose seeing art democratized that way is inspiring. Makes me want to go find an old printing press. Curator: To see it used in its original context, perhaps inspiring new stories and meanings. It reminds us that art doesn't always have to be about grand gestures. Editor: Exactly. Sometimes it's about making the mundane a little more magical.