1 Sam. XXIII c. 16th century

Curator: Hans Holbein the Younger, who died in 1543, created this woodcut, titled "1 Sam. XXIII", now housed in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The raw, linear quality of the printmaking brings a starkness to the scene. The King seems to be caught in a moment of dramatic tension. Curator: Holbein's Protestant sympathies and humanist learning deeply informed his art, often examining power, piety, and the individual’s relationship to authority. Editor: Right! There is definitely something theatrical here, like characters on a stage, the backdrop is more symbolic than real. It's a very striking work. Curator: The limited tonal range of the woodcut only enhances the themes of power and moral conflict central to the biblical narrative. Editor: Absolutely. Thinking about that King with his outstretched hands, I wonder if the artist is portraying doubt or a blessing? It's wonderfully ambiguous.