2 Chom. XXXV c. 16th century

Editor: This is "2 Chom. XXXV" by Hans Holbein the Younger. It’s a very detailed, small-scale print with what looks like a religious scene depicted. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Holbein’s woodcuts are fascinating because of the labor and skill involved in their production. Consider the social context: prints like this made religious narratives accessible and reproducible, impacting both belief and craft. What do you make of the composition's division? Editor: Well, there seem to be two distinct scenes, almost like before and after. I wonder about the artist's choice to include both. Curator: Exactly! Think about the materials used: the wood block itself, the ink, the paper. Each played a part in disseminating ideas and generating a market for such imagery. How does that influence your understanding of the work? Editor: That's a good point. I was just seeing the religious aspect, but there is the labor intensive aspect to it. Curator: Precisely. It pushes us to think beyond the immediate image and reflect on the economic and social forces at play in its creation and consumption. Editor: I will consider how prints were used as commodities. Curator: Indeed. Holbein's work encapsulates the intersection of art, craft, and the emerging market for reproducible images.