Johannes de Evangelist 1600 - 1669

Ludwig Büsinck made this image of Johannes de Evangelist using chiaroscuro woodcut, a printmaking technique involving multiple woodblocks. The method hinges on carefully layering tones to create dramatic light and shadow. Here, we see the figure of John rendered through a combination of line work, defining contours, and broader areas of shading. The woodcut medium, with its capacity for bold, graphic marks, lends itself to a powerful visual effect. Consider the labor involved: each color requires a separate block, demanding meticulous carving and registration to ensure proper alignment. The inherent qualities of wood, its grain, and the way it accepts ink, all contribute to the final image. Recognizing the skill and effort invested, we can appreciate the print as not just an image, but the product of human ingenuity and craft. This challenges the traditional hierarchy placing painting above printmaking.