Reliquary with a Pieta, from the Large Series of Wittenberg Reliquaries 1509

This print, by Lucas Cranach the Elder, is a woodcut on paper. It was likely produced as part of a set of images, intended to showcase the vast collection of religious relics held in Wittenberg, Germany. The process of woodcut is key to understanding the image. It begins with a block of wood, into which the artist carves a design. Ink is then applied to the raised surfaces, and the image is transferred to paper. Look closely and you will see the characteristic lines and textures created by this process. The bold, graphic quality of the woodcut lends itself well to mass production, enabling the wide distribution of images like this one. In this context, it’s worth remembering the social and religious upheavals of the time. Cranach was a contemporary of Martin Luther, and his art often reflected the changing religious landscape. The mass production of images like this one played a role in the spread of new ideas, challenging the established authority of the Catholic Church. It’s a reminder that art, craft, and design are always intertwined with the social and political forces of their time.