Kind geeft zich over aan engel gekleed als ridder 1628

This print, made by Christoffel van Sichem II, likely dates from the early 17th century and was created using woodcut, a relief printing technique. The image is achieved by painstakingly carving away areas of a woodblock, leaving the design to be printed raised. The linear quality of the print, evident in the parallel strokes defining the sky and landscape, speaks to the directness of the carving process. Look closely, and you can see how the artist used the qualities of the wood to create texture, especially in the rendering of the angel's armor and the surrounding foliage. Woodcut was a common means of disseminating images, making them accessible to a wide audience. However, the skill and time required to produce a block like this meant it was a specialized trade, reflecting the division of labor characteristic of the period. Appreciating the print thus involves recognizing not only the artist's skill, but also its place within a broader system of production and consumption. This challenges any hierarchy separating ‘art’ from ‘craft’.