The Last Judgment, from Speculum passionis domini nostri Ihesu Christi 1507

Hans Schäufelein made this woodcut, "The Last Judgment," in the early 16th century. It’s a telling example of the power of printmaking at that time. Notice the crisp lines and stark contrasts achieved by carving into a block of wood. The process is laborious, requiring great skill to translate an image into a series of cuts that will hold ink. Look closely and you can imagine the artist carefully removing slivers of wood to create the image. The act of printing multiplies the image, making it accessible to a wider audience, beyond the elite who could afford unique paintings. This has huge social implications. Printmaking empowered the masses by disseminating ideas and imagery, fueling religious and political movements, and challenging traditional hierarchies of art and value. Woodcuts like this one played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and driving social change during the Renaissance and Reformation.