Fotoreproductie van de clair-obscur houtsnede Christus aan het kruis door Hans Baldung Grien c. 1910 - 1940

This is a reproduction of a chiaroscuro woodcut, originally made by Hans Baldung Grien. The original print would have been made by carving away the negative space around the image on a block of wood, leaving raised lines to receive ink. The printmaker would then apply pressure to transfer the ink onto paper. The effect of light and shadow is achieved by using multiple blocks of wood, each inked with a different tone. This process required patience, precision, and skill to align the blocks correctly and create a seamless image. The use of woodcut as a medium also had social implications. It allowed for the mass production of images, making art more accessible to a wider audience than ever before. This democratization of art challenged traditional hierarchies and empowered ordinary people to engage with religious and cultural ideas. In appreciating this print, we recognize the labor of the printmaker and the cultural context in which it was produced. It reminds us that art is not just about individual expression, but also about the materials, processes, and social forces that shape its creation and reception.