2 Sam. I c. 16th century

Curator: Let's turn our attention to "2 Sam. I," a compelling woodcut by Hans Holbein the Younger, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The starkness of the black lines on the page feels very dramatic. What’s the context of this scene? Curator: Holbein depicts a moment from the Book of Samuel. An Amalekite informs David of Saul's death and offers him Saul's crown and bracelet. Note David’s stoic posture as he receives this news. Editor: The material process is fascinating here. Carving such detail into wood to then transfer it onto paper speaks to a very labor-intensive image-making. Curator: Precisely. The high contrast creates a certain intensity. The composition, divided between the carnage and the presentation of the crown, is quite striking. Editor: It is. And that contrast speaks to the brutality of power, doesn't it? From the battle to the formal presentation, everything is crafted, everything intentional. Curator: Yes, a potent visual examination of power and grief. Editor: A compelling glimpse into the labor and legacy of history, wouldn’t you say?