Bybelsche Figuuren, des Ouden Testaments 1739 - 1786

This illustrated page by Jan van Lee presents nine scenes from the Old Testament, rendered with woodcut and simple color additions. Woodcut is a fundamentally graphic process. The artist carves into the surface of a wood block, removing material to leave a raised design. When inked, only the remaining surface transfers to paper. Look closely, and you can see the crisp, linear quality that is characteristic of this technique. The addition of color, likely applied by hand after the printing, suggests the artist may have been working at a modest scale, where each print could receive individual attention. Prints like this were relatively inexpensive and widely distributed, offering accessible narratives to a broad audience. The visual language of woodcut, with its strong contrasts and bold lines, suited the task perfectly, bridging the gap between high art and everyday communication. In this way, van Lee’s print underscores how artistic techniques can democratize storytelling.