2 Chom. XXXII c. 16th century

Editor: This is Hans Holbein the Younger's "2 Chom. XXXII", a print from the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts a chaotic battle scene. What do you see in this piece beyond the immediate violence? Curator: This work is charged with the intersection of religious war and political power. Holbein, a master of the Reformation era, shows not just conflict but the divine justification claimed by aggressors. Look at the figures in the sky; who do they represent? Editor: Angels, perhaps? Bestowing divine favor? Curator: Exactly. Consider how this imagery implicates those who use faith to mask the violence and oppression inflicted upon marginalized groups. What responsibility do artists have in challenging such narratives? Editor: That’s a lot to think about. Thanks for opening my eyes to these contexts. Curator: My pleasure. Art like this forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about power, belief, and representation.