Border with S. Peter and S. Paul 1552

Curator: This is a page border designed by Hans Holbein the Younger. Though undated, Holbein worked extensively with printers in Basel, Switzerland, during the early to mid-16th century. Editor: The crisp lines and intricate detail give it a formal, almost severe quality. The figures seem both monumental and somehow trapped within the frame. Curator: Absolutely. Holbein was deeply engaged with the religious and political shifts of his time. Notice the inclusion of Saints Peter and Paul, figures central to Christian authority. This imagery would have resonated powerfully amidst the Reformation. Editor: The semiotic density is remarkable. The symbols—the keys of Peter, the sword of Paul—are not mere decoration; they actively construct meaning, anchoring the page within a specific theological framework. Curator: Indeed, Holbein’s borders often served to legitimize or comment upon the texts they accompanied, shaping the reader's understanding of the content. Editor: Studying the image, one can see how he masterfully combined form and ideology. Curator: A testament to the power of art to inform, persuade, and shape historical narratives. Editor: A very enlightening piece in that regard.