Vrouwelijke term in de vorm van Diana van Efeze 1572

This image presents a woodcut of a female term in the form of Diana of Ephesus, made by an anonymous artist. The artwork depicts an architectural element merging with a representation of the goddess. It's made using a relief printmaking technique, where the image is carved into a block of wood. The remaining surface is inked and then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The fine lines and intricate details suggest that the artist was highly skilled, and that each cut into the wood required meticulous execution. Woodcuts like these often served not only artistic purposes, but also a functional one, to disseminate information, be it religious, scientific, or decorative, to a broader public. The amount of work involved speaks to the value placed on accessible knowledge and visual culture. In this context, the combination of craft and design becomes essential to understanding the work's full meaning. It challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, underscoring the importance of making, materials, and context.