Mocking of Christ c. 1490

This image of the Mocking of Christ was made using woodcut, then carefully hand-painted with vibrant colors. The matrix for the woodcut was probably a block of fine-grained wood, painstakingly carved to leave a raised surface for printing. The bold lines and simplified forms, typical of woodcut, lend the scene a raw, powerful quality. The hand-coloring adds a layer of detail and richness, but also marks the image as the product of skilled labor. Each print would have required careful registration and application of color. Prints like this one were relatively accessible, playing a vital role in spreading religious imagery and narratives. While the artist remains anonymous, we can imagine them as a skilled artisan, working within a well-established tradition of printmaking, and contributing to the visual culture of their time. The value of the piece, however, lies in the details of its making.