The Head of Christ Crowned with Thorns 1520

Sebald Beham created this print, "The Head of Christ Crowned with Thorns," using woodcut, a relief printing process. The artist carves an image into a block of wood, then inks and prints the raised surface. Look closely, and you’ll notice that the image is constructed from many tiny parallel lines. This wasn’t casually done. Beham controlled the cuts into the wood with tremendous precision. Note the way that the lines seem to model the face, giving it volume. The crown of thorns is especially convincing; Beham really makes you feel the pain. Woodcut was essential to the spread of information and ideas in the 16th century. As a relatively inexpensive medium, it made art accessible. By focusing on the suffering of Christ, Beham could connect with a broad audience, reflecting the social and religious concerns of his time. His masterful technique elevated a humble material to convey profound emotion, blurring the lines between craft and high art.