Letter E c. 16th century

Curator: Look at this 'Letter E' from an unknown hand, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Doesn't it just whisper tales of old printing presses and quiet scriptoriums? Editor: It does, but what strikes me is the clear delineation of labor. Consider the design, the carving of the block, the actual printing—each a distinct step and potentially a different artisan. Curator: I'm captivated by the whimsical bird perched within, almost like a little thought taking flight from the very letter itself. Editor: Note the deliberate contrast. The rigid letterform against the organic, almost chaotic, foliage. This suggests a social order trying to contain the wilder aspects of nature, or perhaps, human nature. Curator: Or maybe just a love of beauty finding its way onto the page. It feels like a tiny rebellion against the uniformity of text. Editor: Perhaps, but rebellion always has its material conditions. The availability of the woodblock, the skill of the carver, and the demand for decorative initials, all dictated the form. Curator: I see it, finally, as a testament to the enduring power of letters and images to spark our imaginations. Editor: Indeed, a beautiful artifact revealing the intersection of craft, commerce, and culture.