Heiligen Johannes en Petrus 1502 - 1532

Ugo da Carpi made this print of Saints John and Peter in the 1500s, using a woodcut technique known as chiaroscuro. This process involves using multiple woodblocks, each inked with a different tone, to create an image with strong contrasts of light and shadow. Da Carpi was renowned for this method, which allowed him to achieve painterly effects in printmaking. Look closely, and you'll see how the varying tones give depth and volume to the figures, particularly in the drapery and the subtle shading of their faces. The texture of the woodblock itself adds another layer of interest, visible in the grain and the slightly uneven inking. This wasn't just a technical feat; it was about expanding the possibilities of printmaking. By using a craft-based process to emulate the effects of painting, da Carpi challenged the hierarchy between different art forms, and made religious imagery more widely available. The amount of skill involved in this process elevates the status of printmaking, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.