Kruisiging 1480 - 1520

This anonymous print of the Crucifixion, at the Rijksmuseum, was made using a woodcut. This is a relief printing technique, where an image is carved into a block of wood, and then the raised surfaces are inked and pressed onto paper. The labor-intensive process is evident in the fine lines and details that capture the emotional intensity of the scene. The image's stark contrasts and textures are directly influenced by the material qualities of wood, and tools used in the carving process. Woodcut was a common method for producing inexpensive images for mass consumption. It allowed for wide distribution of religious iconography, making it accessible to a broad audience. Here we see the intersection of art, craft, and commerce, where traditional skills are deployed in a more democratized way. Consider how the materiality of the woodblock and the skilled labor involved contribute to the unique aesthetic and cultural value of the print.