Geloof in de christelijke kerkgemeenschap 1629 - 1740

This print, made by Christoffel van Sichem II, likely dates to the early 17th century and is titled ‘Faith in the Christian Church Community.’ It's a woodcut, a process where an image is carved into a block of wood, then inked and printed. The stark black lines define the architecture and figures, giving the scene a dramatic intensity. Woodcut is an inherently graphic medium. Because of the labor involved in the cutting process, the image has to be simplified. There is a directness about it, and it lends itself to the communication of fundamental ideas. The choice of woodcut speaks to the social context of the time. It was a popular, relatively inexpensive method of disseminating information and imagery. Prints like this one would have circulated widely, bringing religious teachings to a broad audience. The image, therefore, not only depicts faith but also embodies it through its very means of production and distribution.