Saint Alto c. 1500

This charming, though unsigned, print of Saint Alto is made using woodcut, a relief printing technique where the artist carves an image into the surface of a block of wood, leaving the printing parts level with the surface while removing the non-printing parts. The texture of the wood is quite apparent, isn’t it? Notice how the grain subtly influences the design, adding a tactile dimension. The relatively simple lines suggest it was made by a less experienced hand than some other prints of the time. Woodcut was a very important method in disseminating religious imagery, making it accessible to a wider audience. This image would have been relatively inexpensive to produce, and affordable for ordinary people to buy. The work involved—from cutting the block to running off the prints—would have been carefully considered to keep costs down. Considering its purpose, this print really collapses any perceived boundary between art and craft. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful images are those made with simple materials and techniques, intended for everyday use.