Nadab en Abihu gedood door vlammen 1645 - 1646

This small print, “Nadab en Abihu gedood door vlammen,” was made by Christoffel van Sichem II, likely in the early 17th century, using a woodblock. Woodblock printing is an ancient process. A design is carved in relief into a block of wood, then inked and printed. The material of the block influences the image greatly. Wood can be worked in any direction, allowing for complex, curvilinear designs. But it also has a grain that must be considered. Here, you can see Sichem has used the technique to create a dramatic scene. The stark black lines against the white paper give a graphic quality to the flames and figures. Note how the parallel lines suggest shading and volume. The process demands a high level of skill. Each line must be carefully cut to achieve the desired effect. Prints like this made art accessible, circulating stories and images widely. The labor involved is considerable, yet the result could be reproduced many times over, speaking to a growing public. This print shows how so-called "fine art" is deeply intertwined with craft and commercial production.