Offer van Isaak c. 1520 - 1550

Antonio da Trento made this chiaroscuro woodcut, "Offer van Isaak," sometime between 1520 and 1550. Unlike drawing or painting, printmaking is not about direct application, but a sequence of technical maneuvers. Here, Trento has used a block of wood, carving away the negative space to leave a raised image. The block is then inked and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. In this case, the printmaker used multiple blocks, each inked with a different tone, to create a layered effect, a technique known as chiaroscuro. Printmaking introduced repeatability into image production, enabling dissemination and a wider engagement with art. Yet, it also demanded skilled labor, from the initial carving to the final printing. Appreciating the labor and the complex process involved allows us to move beyond merely seeing the image, engaging with the historical and social context of its creation.