Christuskind timmert een hek 1617

This print, made by Christoffel van Sichem II in the early 17th century, shows the Christ child helping to build a fence. It's a woodcut, meaning the artist carved away the areas that would remain white, leaving the lines of the image raised to catch the ink. The image is rich with the textures of labor. We see wood in different states – rough planks waiting to be worked, the emerging structure of the fence, and even the tools scattered on the ground. Each mark made by Sichem's knife contributes to the overall scene, emphasizing the value of skilled craftsmanship and the dignity of work. It’s interesting to note how Sichem elevates carpentry, a traditionally ‘humble’ trade, by associating it with the Christ child. By doing so, he challenges any rigid separation between fine art and the everyday labor that sustains society. It’s a powerful reminder that all forms of making, whether physical or artistic, are worthy of respect.