Ex. XIV, XV c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have *Ex. XIV, XV* by Hans Holbein the Younger. It's an undated print residing here at Harvard Art Museums. The scene is chaotic, a mass of figures and churning water. What do you see in this piece, looking at its composition? Curator: Observe how Holbein employs stark contrasts between the receding figures and the foreground drowning. Note the linear perspective, guiding the eye, and how the dense hatching creates depth. These formal choices intensify the emotional impact. Editor: The hatching definitely adds to the drama. The figures almost seem overwhelmed by the lines themselves. Curator: Precisely. The materiality of the print itself—the stark black lines on white—reinforces the starkness of the event. The repetition of line, then, becomes a visual analogue for the multitude, struggling against a divine force. Anything else catch your attention? Editor: It really highlights the power of simple lines to convey such a dramatic scene. Curator: Agreed. Holbein's understanding of form here is really quite masterful, using structure and line to communicate meaning.