Bestorming van een stad in brand 1541

This print, ‘Bestorming van een stad in brand’, or 'Storming of a City on Fire’ by an anonymous artist, was created using a woodblock. This is an image made entirely through the labor of carving, which gives it a directness, even a rawness. Look closely, and you’ll see how the artist has used simple cuts to create strong contrasts between light and dark. The linear quality is inescapable; everything is reduced to stark lines and textures. You can see the amount of work involved in cutting away the negative space around each form, the repetitive, physical act that results in the overall image. The process isn't about illusion; it's about graphic impact. Think about the social context of this print. It was likely made in multiples, as a relatively inexpensive way to distribute information. By considering the materials, the making, and the context, we understand that this image of war isn't just a picture. It's a statement, made possible by the labor involved in its production, reflecting a specific moment in time.