Bones of All Men c. 16th century

Curator: The sheer density of the figures creates a sense of claustrophobia. It feels…inevitable. Editor: Indeed. What you're seeing is "Bones of All Men," a woodcut print by Hans Holbein the Younger. Though undated, it’s held at the Harvard Art Museums. Holbein masterfully employs stark lines to depict the Dance of Death. Curator: The skeleton figures, some playing instruments, really drive home the theme of mortality as a universal equalizer. Editor: Holbein made these prints at a time of great social upheaval. The plague was rampant, and religious tensions were high. The Dance of Death was a potent symbol reminding everyone, regardless of status, of death's relentless march. It’s a stark warning about power structures and the inevitability of death. Curator: Yes, seeing these symbols together emphasizes not just mortality, but also a kind of performance or ritual around death—cultural memory, if you will. It resonates even today, reminding us that death is part of life. Editor: It speaks to the cyclical nature of life and death and encourages us to confront uncomfortable truths about our existence and societies.