Tournament - 1 1506

Lucas Cranach the Elder made this print, *Tournament - 1*, using woodcut, a relief printing process. The artist carves an image into a block of wood, leaving the design raised. Ink is then applied to the surface and transferred to paper, creating the print. The density of the marks that make up the composition speaks volumes about the labor involved in the production process. The image bursts with the energy of the tournament itself, a riot of jousting knights, horses, and spectators. The image is bustling with activity, yet it’s achieved through the repetitive, skillful cutting of wood, and the controlled application of ink. Woodcut was a relatively accessible medium, allowing for wider distribution of images, a kind of proto mass-production. Think about the contrast of that accessibility with the subject represented here: the aristocratic display of wealth and power through competitive sport. Cranach’s work, made by relatively democratic means, puts the opulence of the ruling class on full display for public viewing. The nature of the material and means of production gives the artwork social and cultural significance.