St. Franciscus v. Assisi 1926

Reijer Stolk created this print of St. Francis of Assisi, likely in the 1930s, using woodcut. The nature of woodcut, a relief printing process, is key here. The artist would have painstakingly carved away areas of a woodblock to leave the design raised, a laborious subtractive process. When inked and pressed, the remaining surface transfers the image to paper. Stolk’s dynamic lines and vibrant colors, achieved through multiple blocks, infuse the print with life. The material qualities – the stark contrast between the colored image and the white paper, the textured feel resulting from the wood grain – add depth. This handcrafted approach, rooted in skilled tradition, contrasts with mass production, aligning with the Arts and Crafts movement's ideals. Ultimately, the artwork invites us to consider the value of handmade objects in an increasingly industrialized world, and challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.