St. Elizabeth (copy ?) 1512 - 1600

This tiny, hand-colored woodcut print, thought to be a copy of a work by Hans Baldung, depicts St. Elizabeth. The printmaking process itself is crucial to understanding the image. A design is carved in relief into a block of wood, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The resulting lines are characteristically bold, direct, and slightly irregular – all qualities that contribute to the print’s expressive power. The hand-coloring adds another layer of visual interest, subtly animating the scene. Woodcut prints like this one were relatively inexpensive to produce, allowing for wider distribution of religious imagery to a broad audience. This reflects a significant shift in the era, where advances in printing technology democratized access to art and information, impacting social, religious, and intellectual life. It’s a reminder that art isn't just about aesthetics; it's about materials, making, and context.