The angel with the key of the abyss c. 16th century

Editor: This is Hans Holbein the Younger's "The angel with the key of the abyss." I am struck by the textures and the fine lines used to depict the figures. What can you tell me about the materials and the making of this print? Curator: The stark contrast achieved through the woodcut medium underscores the power dynamics at play. Notice how the angel, despite his divine status, is rendered with lines comparable to the demon. Consider the labor involved in carving the block and the implications for consumption and distribution of this image. Editor: So, the medium itself is part of the message? Curator: Precisely! The readily reproducible nature of the print democratizes access to religious imagery, challenging the exclusive authority of the Church. What do you think about this relationship between material and meaning? Editor: That makes me think about the Reformation and how prints served to disseminate new ideas. Thanks, I learned a lot.