Holy Family with three Hares 1498

Albrecht Durer created this print, "Holy Family with three Hares," using the woodcut technique. With this process, the artist would carve an image into a block of wood, and then use the block as a stamp to create the final print. If you look closely, you can really see the mark of the tool in the dense network of lines that define the forms. The crispness of the lines would depend on the wood selected and the skill of the cutter. But don't be fooled - this wasn't a quick and easy process! Durer's work displays an extraordinary level of dexterity, achieved by very few others. The physical labor and expert skills required to bring an image to life, often goes unnoticed. Prints like these made art accessible to a wider audience, fueling the commercial art market, and changing the nature of artistic production. So, next time you encounter a print, remember the materials, labor, and social context that made it possible.