November 1652 - 1718

This impression, "November," was made by Christoffel van Sichem IV in the late 17th century, using woodcut. This is a relief printing process, where the artist carves away at a block of wood, leaving the design to be printed raised on the surface. Look closely, and you can see how the lines are not perfectly smooth. This is because wood has a grain, which the knife has to follow. This quality imparts a unique character to the print. The artist would have needed considerable skill to control the blade, and create such detail. The subject matter here is also important. It represents a popular pastime, and is therefore very much of its time. This brings us back to process: it is so interesting to consider how these now separated elements of artistic practice, and everyday culture, were once so intimately connected.