Vrouw met een schedel 1591

Andrea Andreani created this chiaroscuro woodcut, “Woman with a Skull,” around 1593. Woodcut is a relief printing process, where the artist carves an image into a block of wood. The remaining raised surface is inked and then pressed onto paper. Andreani was a master of the chiaroscuro woodcut, which used multiple blocks to create tonal effects. Look closely, and you'll see that this print is made from at least two blocks: one for the linework and another for the shading. By layering these blocks, Andreani achieved a subtle range of light and shadow, mimicking the effects of drawing. Woodcut was a relatively accessible medium, but chiaroscuro woodcuts like this required considerable skill and labor. Andreani's mastery elevates the medium, demonstrating that craft traditions can rival the expressive power of painting. The printmaking process invites us to contemplate the relationship between labor, skill, and artistic value.