Christus als Salvator Mundi 1629

Christoffel van Sichem II made this print, Christus als Salvator Mundi, using woodcut, a technique with a long history. The image is made by carving into the surface of a wooden block, removing the areas that will not hold ink. The remaining raised surface is then inked and pressed onto paper. The stark contrast between light and shadow defines the image, creating depth and texture. Look closely and you'll notice the lines are not uniform, and this is a testament to the artist’s hand. Woodcut is a relatively accessible technique, historically used for both fine art and more utilitarian purposes. It allowed for the relatively quick reproduction of images, and that made prints like this an important means of communication. Consider the labor involved: the steady hand, the sharp tools, and the knowledge required to transform a block of wood into an image of profound symbolic weight. That blend of craft, skill, and cultural significance, challenges our traditional distinctions between art and craft.