The Building of the Tower of Babel 1577 - 1579

Editor: Here we have Hans Collaert the Elder's "The Building of the Tower of Babel," a beautiful print held at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s so full of figures and details! I'm struck by how the tower dominates the landscape. What can you tell me about the historical context? Curator: Well, the Tower of Babel is a potent symbol of human ambition and divine judgment. Collaert’s image reflects the anxieties around centralized power and the potential for social breakdown inherent in such projects. Consider the Reformation raging around that period. Editor: So, the fragmentation of language, as depicted in the Biblical story, reflects societal divisions? Curator: Precisely. Collaert, through this image, might be subtly commenting on the religious and political upheavals of his time. It serves as a cautionary tale, doesn't it? Editor: It’s amazing how much historical commentary is packed into a single image! Curator: Indeed. These prints circulated widely, shaping public opinion and reinforcing cultural narratives.