Os en kameel 1738 - 1767

This image, titled Os en kameel, or Ox and camel, was made by Gijsbert de Groot Keur, and is a woodcut on paper. Looking closely, the first thing you might notice is the texture. It has a linear quality, acquired through the use of carving tools that form these creatures from the block of wood. The paper's fibres also affect how the ink settles, giving the image a tactile quality. The process of woodcutting involves a lot of physical work. De Groot Keur would have needed skill to carve the wood accurately, and to judge how much ink to apply to the block. Each impression requires careful hand-printing, a labor-intensive process. In the absence of machines, this print is imbued with the hand of the maker. The artist's care and effort are present in every line. The material and its making are inextricably linked, demonstrating how 'craft' is woven into the very fabric of fine art. By appreciating this, we come to a richer understanding of the image's place in history and its connection to the world of labor and commerce.