Petrus hakt het oor van Malchus af 1629

Christoffel van Sichem II created this compelling woodcut of ‘Petrus hakt het oor van Malchus af’ – Peter cutting off Malchus’ ear – sometime before his death in 1658. The dramatic scene is rendered with precise cuts into the woodblock, resulting in stark contrasts of light and shadow. Woodcut is an old printing technique, requiring the artist to carve away the negative space, leaving the design raised. Ink is then applied to the surface and transferred to paper. The process demands a deep understanding of both material and form. Notice the expressive lines and the level of detail achieved. The lines define the figures, create texture in the landscape, and build drama in the scene. Woodcuts like this were relatively inexpensive to produce, making art accessible to a wider audience. Sichem's choice of this medium speaks to the democratizing potential of printmaking, offering religious narratives to ordinary people. By appreciating the material and the labor involved, we recognize woodcut not just as a medium for conveying stories, but also as a means of engaging with social and cultural values.