Letter A c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have "Letter A," an intriguing anonymous work held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's giving me medieval woodcut vibes, all bold lines and quirky, almost fantastical little creatures tucked inside. Curator: Exactly. These illuminated initials are often found marking significant passages in medieval manuscripts, reflecting a convergence of text and image. We can see the way that the letter becomes a container for visual narratives. Editor: It’s like the artist is creating a whole little world within that single letter, hinting at stories and meanings beyond just the alphabet. It's fun to imagine the artist's intent—were they subverting or reinforcing existing power structures? Curator: That tension is always present when we look at historical art. What stories are being told? Whose voices are privileged, and whose are silenced? Editor: I think I’ll carry that question with me today—the untold stories within the stories we think we know.