Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse c. 16th century

Editor: This woodcut is by Hans Holbein the Younger. It's called "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." It's so stark and... well, terrifying. What do you make of all the symbols presented here? Curator: Holbein uses the visual language of the Apocalypse to tap into deep-seated anxieties about death, judgment, and the end of times. The horsemen themselves are powerful symbols of conquest, war, famine, and death—each carrying specific iconographic markers. Editor: So, the figures are more than just scary illustrations? Curator: Precisely. The figure carrying scales, for instance, evokes ideas of judgment. And Death, of course, brings mortality to the foreground. These images were intended to resonate with collective fears and beliefs. What do you make of the angel overhead? Editor: It feels like a counterpoint; perhaps a glimmer of hope amidst all the doom. I guess the image reminds us of humanity’s fears, but also our capacity for hope.