Mozes vlucht naar het land Midjan 1645 - 1740

This print depicting Moses fleeing to Midian was made by Christoffel van Sichem II, who died in 1658. It is a woodcut, a relief printing process with a long history. The image is achieved by carving away areas of a woodblock, leaving the lines that you see in relief. This requires a keen eye and steady hand, the ability to envision the final image in negative. The texture of the wood itself often comes through in the print. It is not as refined as an engraving, but with a more graphic, immediate quality. In its time, the woodcut was a relatively accessible medium for disseminating images and stories. It was a humble process that nonetheless could carry powerful cultural significance. This particular print tells a story of flight and escape. It reminds us that even the simplest of materials and processes can convey complex narratives.