Ecce Homo, from The Fall and Salvation of Mankind Through the Life and Passion of Christ 1508 - 1518

This woodcut of 'Ecce Homo' was made by Albrecht Altdorfer around 1515, and it is part of a series depicting the Fall and Salvation of Mankind. Woodcut is a relief printing process. The artist carves into the surface of a block of wood, removing the areas that should not be inked, leaving the design raised on the block's surface. The block is then inked and pressed onto paper to create a print. Look closely, and you can see the linear quality in the image that comes from the grain of the wood. The texture adds a tactile dimension to the scene. The stark contrast between the black ink and the white paper gives the image its striking visual impact. Altdorfer’s choice of woodcut, rather than a more refined medium like engraving, speaks volumes. Woodcut was a relatively accessible medium, allowing for broader distribution of images to a wider audience. It reflects the social and political context of the Reformation, a period of religious upheaval and change, during which printed images played a crucial role in disseminating ideas. So, next time you see a print, think about the material and the making, and how they inform the meaning of the artwork.