Romeinse vrouw van aanzien 1598

This print of a Roman woman of rank was created by Christoph Krieger using woodcut – a relief printing technique. The process involves carving an image into a block of wood; the remaining raised surface is inked and pressed onto paper. The linear quality of the woodcut lends itself well to depicting the draped clothing of the figure. Notice how the parallel lines create a sense of volume and shadow. The patterns and details are all carefully incised with chisels, knives and gouges. It is worth noting that woodcut printing was often a collaborative process, relying on the skills of specialized block cutters. The texture of the wood grain itself sometimes appears in the print, adding another layer of visual interest, and the surrounding border is also decorated with intricate details, typical of the period. In essence, understanding woodcut as a process allows us to appreciate the skill and labor involved in creating this image, bridging the gap between craft and fine art.