Ezra I c. 16th century

Editor: This is Hans Holbein the Younger's "Ezra I." The date is unknown, and it resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. It has a very linear quality. What's your take on this? Curator: Well, first, I think it's helpful to remember Holbein's time. Imagine a world of booming printmaking! This piece, with its intricate lines, feels like Holbein's playful take on the distribution of knowledge. What's the story that Holbein is portraying? It’s about a journey, maybe of knowledge itself, wending its way to new cityscapes. Editor: That’s an interesting perspective. It makes me think about how information spreads today. Curator: Exactly! It’s like a Renaissance meme, isn’t it? And just like today’s memes, it captures something essential about the human experience.