Johan Christian Ryge 1813 - 1872

Andreas Flinch created this portrait of Johan Christian Ryge in 1842. It's a woodcut, a relief printmaking technique where an image is carved into the surface of a block of wood, with the printing parts remaining level with the surface while the non-printing parts are removed. The material of the woodblock determined the image's character. The linear quality, the fineness of detail achievable, and the overall texture are all direct results of the wood's grain and hardness. Consider the labor involved: the artist meticulously carved away at the block to create the portrait, a process demanding precision and patience. Woodcuts like this one played a crucial role in the rise of mass media. Relatively easy to produce compared to other forms of printing, they allowed for the widespread dissemination of images and information, shaping public opinion and contributing to a growing culture of consumption. By understanding its making, we can appreciate how this small print connects to broader social and economic forces.