The Stoning of Stephen 

Gustave Doré made this print of "The Stoning of Stephen", using the technique of wood engraving, where an image is carved in relief and then printed. The relentless detail, produced through countless tiny cuts, creates a dramatic scene. The image is made entirely of stark black and white contrasts, yet Doré creates a great illusion of depth. The figures are clearly delineated from each other, and from the sheer rock faces which frame them. It’s a tour-de-force of manual skill. Wood engraving was often used for mass-produced images at this time. Doré worked with teams of engravers who transferred his drawings onto blocks. The division of labor is crucial here, as is the social context in which Doré’s art was created. This artwork is tied to issues of labor, politics, and consumption, and to a certain extent, the cost involved in the production process. Hopefully, this has challenged the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.