Troepen steken een pontonbrug over 1573

Jost Amman created this print, "Troepen steken een pontonbrug over," or “Troops Crossing a Pontoon Bridge,” using woodcut. The process involves carving an image into a block of wood, inking the surface, and pressing it onto paper. The linear quality of the woodcut, with its stark contrasts and graphic detail, effectively conveys the scene's energy. The wood’s inherent grain adds texture, almost like the rough terrain being traversed. The labor-intensive process reflects the effort involved in military campaigns, mirroring the soldiers' strenuous work. The artist's skill in carving such detail speaks to a long tradition of craftsmanship, yet the print itself, as a multiple, signals a shift towards mass production and wider distribution of information. This print, therefore, represents a meeting point between traditional craft and emerging modes of production. It reminds us that art is always embedded in social and economic contexts. Appreciating the materiality and making of this print gives us a deeper understanding of its cultural significance.