Illustration from The White King (Der Weiß König) 1473 - 1531

This illustration from *The White King*, was created by Hans Burgkmair using a woodcut technique. It’s a relief printmaking process where the artist carves an image into the surface of a block of wood, leaving the printing parts level with the surface while removing the non-printing parts. Look closely, and you’ll see an incredible amount of detail achieved through the careful control of the cutting tool. The varying line weights and cross-hatching create a sense of depth and volume. Burgkmair would have needed immense skill and patience to render such detail on woodblock, cutting along the grain to achieve the desired effects. The texture of the wood itself would have influenced the final print. The labor-intensive nature of woodcut printing speaks to the value placed on craftsmanship during the 16th century. Note the way in which these issues of labour and production are literally foregrounded in the image. The king and his court are quite literally standing on the results of someone else’s work. This element of skilled handwork adds another layer of meaning to the artwork, offering a glimpse into the social and economic dynamics of its time.