Mozes leert van God hoe de Israëlieten moeten offeren 1538

Hans Holbein the Younger made this woodcut, 'Moses Learning from God How the Israelites Should Sacrifice,' in the 16th century. As a Biblical scene, the image takes on a new role in a society undergoing religious reformation. Visual codes within the work can tell us a lot about the culture of the time. Note the intense detail of the flames and clouds, typical of the Northern Renaissance style, alongside the somewhat stiff figures, characteristic of early printmaking. The context in which it was made – Reformation-era Europe – is vital. Holbein worked in both Catholic and Protestant circles. It's important to reflect on how his representation of key biblical scenes contributed to the changing religious landscape of the time, and to the politics of imagery within it. To understand Holbein's intent more fully, one might look at contemporary religious texts, the history of book publishing, and the biographies of Holbein’s patrons. Art is contingent on its historical and institutional context and we need to explore the culture of the time to appreciate this.