The Nativity c. 1470 - 1480

This image of the Nativity was made by an anonymous artist through the process of woodcut, a relief printing technique where an image is carved into the surface of a block of wood, with the printing parts remaining level with the surface while the non-printing parts are removed. The linear quality of the design, the flat planes of color, and its overall texture are inherent to the woodcut process, where the grain of the wood influences the final image. The artist would have needed skill and knowledge of carving techniques, and a deep understanding of how the wood would receive the ink. The labor-intensive process of woodcut, the simplicity of the design, and the fact that it's a print, points to a wider social context. These prints were often made in multiples, making art accessible to a wider audience, reflecting a shift in the way art was consumed and distributed. Considering its context of production reminds us of the equal importance of both art and craft in the story of visual culture.