Arts en de Dood 1524 - 1538

This is an early 16th century woodcut, made by Hans Holbein the Younger. The image is a testament to the artistry of the block cutter, who used knives and gouges to translate Holbein’s design into a series of fine, raised lines. Look closely, and you can see how the composition is built entirely from these marks. In areas of shadow, Holbein clustered the lines closely together, and where light falls, they are sparse and thin. This is especially evident in the figure of Death, which stands in the center. The figure is a skeleton, which could only be accomplished by physically removing wood. Consider the labor involved in this process. Holbein would have provided a detailed drawing, but the cutter would have needed to be highly skilled to interpret this and bring it to life in wood. This image reminds us that every print is the product of a collaborative process and a negotiation of expertise. It blurs the distinctions we often make between high art and craft.