Koning van Nineve doet boete 1645 - 1646

This is ‘Koning van Nineve doet boete’ made by Christoffel van Sichem II, sometime before his death in 1658. It’s a woodcut, meaning that the artist carved away the areas of a wood block that he *didn’t* want to print, leaving the lines in relief. Consider how this subtractive process dictates the image. Sichem has to think in terms of positive and negative space, light and shadow, using his tools to create a graphic scene of the King of Nineveh in repentance. The linear quality of the print, and the stark contrast between black and white, are inherent to the medium. Woodcut is one of the oldest printmaking techniques. Before industrial printing, this was how images were circulated, serving a vital role in disseminating information and stories. Sichem’s choice of this relatively accessible medium suggests an intention to reach a broad audience with his work. The relatively rough quality of the cut also contrasts with the fineness of an engraving, and perhaps signals the artist’s distance from courtly life.