Man of Sorrows 1450 - 1530

This small, anonymous print, "Man of Sorrows," was made using woodcut, a process dating back to the early medieval period. Its method involves carving an image in relief on a block of wood, inking the surface, and then pressing it onto paper. The graphic quality of the woodcut is apparent in the bold outlines and flat planes of color. These are typical of early printmaking when the technique served to quickly and efficiently reproduce images for a wide audience. Note the texture of the paper itself, which is integral to the final appearance of the print, adding a tactile dimension. The coloring, added by hand, lends each impression a unique quality, softening the graphic rigidity of the woodcut. The image and its means of production speak to a society grappling with new forms of communication. As printmaking democratized image production, it challenged traditional hierarchies of skill, making art more accessible, but also raising questions about originality and value. So, considering the material and making of this print, we are reminded that art is never just about the image.