Dr. Christian Bruck, called Pontanus 1549

This portrait of Dr. Christian Bruck, made in 1549 by Lucas Cranach the Younger, is a woodcut on paper, a relatively democratic medium even at that time. Look closely, and you can see how the artist used line to create a sense of depth and texture, particularly in the fur coat. The straight, bold lines define the edges of the form, while the finer, more delicate lines capture the intricate patterns of the fabric and the density of the fur. A lot of work went into this small image! Woodcut is an accessible form of printmaking, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Cranach had to be skilled not only in drawing, but also in the use of carving tools. The marks he made with these tools, cutting away at the block to leave the design raised, give the print its distinctive character. By attending to the materials and processes behind this image, we can appreciate its intimate, handmade quality, and move beyond the traditional separation of fine art and craft.