Spotprent op de Fransen bij het beleg van Praag, 1741 1541 - 1741

This print, made around 1741 by Cornelis Anthonisz, is made with a technique called woodcut, one of the oldest forms of printmaking. The artist carves an image into a block of wood; the remaining raised areas receive ink, and the image is transferred to paper through pressure. Here, the bold lines and strong contrasts are characteristic of the woodcut process. Notice how the figures and details emerge from the flat surface, defined by the artist's cuts. The choice of this more accessible medium may reflect the print's intended audience: ordinary people. Prints like these weren't just art objects; they were a form of social commentary, reaching a wide audience with their critical message. The labor-intensive process of woodcutting, requiring both skill and time, underscores the effort involved in disseminating these political ideas, challenging traditional notions of art and craft.