The Queen c. 16th century

Curator: Hans Holbein the Younger, active in the 16th century, is credited with this woodcut, "The Queen," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: What strikes me is the queen's panicked expression as Death, dressed as a jester, comes to claim her with an hourglass. The skull's got quite the grin! Curator: These prints were widely distributed; consider the means of their production and reproduction, and how that allowed Holbein to reach a broad audience with his commentary on social status and mortality. Editor: The hourglass held by Death is a potent reminder of the ephemeral nature of life. Even royalty cannot escape the inevitable. Curator: Yes, and the architecture in the background, while grand, also seems rather flimsy, perhaps a commentary on the superficiality of worldly power. Editor: A somber, yet evocative exploration of mortality and power, indeed. Curator: It really underscores the material limits to even the most powerful life.