Daniel VII c. 16th century

Editor: This print, "Daniel VII," by Hans Holbein the Younger, depicts a series of rather grotesque creatures. The detail achieved through the woodcut process is really quite striking! What can you tell me about it? Curator: The woodcut medium is crucial here. Consider the labor involved in its production; the artisan's skill translating Holbein's design onto the block. This readily reproducible format democratized access to imagery. How might its imagery be seen in relation to the reformation and the critique of established powers? Editor: So, the print's availability and content potentially challenged existing social structures? Curator: Precisely! The material and its distribution become a form of social commentary. Editor: That’s a fascinating way to look at it. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. Considering art as material culture offers a powerful lens.