Ezekiel XLVII c. 16th century

Editor: This is Hans Holbein the Younger's "Ezekiel XLVII," a fascinating architectural rendering. It feels like a map, but the labels are unexpected: tribe names and cardinal directions. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's a symbolic vision, isn't it? The walled city, precisely ordered, evokes a longing for spiritual and societal harmony. The names point to a yearning for a return to ancestral lands, a potent symbol of cultural identity and continuity. Editor: So, the city isn't necessarily a place, but an idea? Curator: Precisely. And consider the dome in the center, a focal point that suggests a sacred space. What emotions does the overall composition evoke in you? Editor: A sense of hope, maybe? Like a blueprint for a better world. Curator: Indeed. Holbein masterfully uses familiar symbols to express complex cultural and psychological desires. We see how deeply rooted these images are.