The vision of the fifth angel c. 16th century

Editor: So, this is Hans Holbein the Younger's "The Vision of the Fifth Angel," a woodcut print. It's quite striking... a bit chaotic. What symbols stand out to you in this depiction? Curator: The well teems with crowned demons and serpentine figures, a visual motif for pestilence and moral corruption rising to the surface. Note the angel above, blowing the horn; do you think it heralds salvation or doom? Editor: Perhaps both, depending on the viewer's perspective? It's fascinating how Holbein uses familiar religious symbols to evoke such a strong emotional response. Curator: Indeed, and how these symbols echo through history, reflecting our enduring anxieties and hopes. A powerful visual legacy, wouldn't you agree?