The Babylonian Whore, from The Apocalypse. Facsimile 1485 - 1528

Albrecht Durer made this woodcut, "The Babylonian Whore," around 1496-97, using a block of fine-grained wood, likely pear or cherry. Look closely, and you'll notice the sharp, precise lines that bring this apocalyptic scene to life. Durer used specialized tools – knives and gouges – to carve away the wood around each line, leaving a raised design. This painstaking process showcases the artist's technical skill and understanding of the material. The quality of the print depended on the artist's ability to translate his vision into a series of cuts on the block. The woodcut medium itself was important, because it was closely linked to the rise of print culture and the spread of ideas. The marks of the tools reveal the labor involved in creating the image, making it distinct from both painting and metal engraving. By mastering this craft, Durer democratized art, making it accessible to a wider audience during a time of immense social and religious change.