Four Illustrations to I Kings (recto) and Illustration to I Kings (verso) from Biblia Latina, plate 78 from Woodcuts from Books of the XVI Century c. 1569 - 1937

This woodcut, made by Bernard Salomon around the mid-16th century, presents scenes from the biblical book of Kings. The composition is structured around a series of rectangular panels, each densely filled with figures and landscapes rendered in a high-contrast black and white. The use of hatching and cross-hatching creates a rich surface texture, emphasizing the materiality of the print. The organization of the page into discrete narrative units invites a structuralist reading, where each panel functions as a sign within a larger semiotic system. Salomon's strategic use of line and form creates a sense of depth and movement, guiding the viewer's eye through the complex scenes. The repetitive use of certain motifs, such as trees and buildings, suggests an underlying order and symbolic resonance. The stark contrast between light and dark serves not only to define forms but also to evoke a sense of drama and moral clarity, reflecting the religious and cultural context of the Reformation era. This emphasis on form and structure invites us to decode the underlying principles that govern both the artwork and the world it represents.