Lamentation 16th-17th century

Editor: Here we have Johann Mommard's "Lamentation," a woodcut block print, measuring about 13 by 10 centimeters. It feels so heavy with grief, emphasized by the dense composition. What compositional choices stand out to you? Curator: The cross-hatching is a powerful tool, isn't it? Notice how Mommard uses it to create a complex network of light and shadow, defining form and intensifying the emotional impact. It's a masterful deployment of line. Editor: Yes, the lines almost seem to vibrate with sorrow! Curator: Indeed. Also, consider how the artist orchestrates a balance between the density of the crowd and the central void around Christ's body, directing our gaze and amplifying the work's lament. Editor: That's a great point! I hadn't considered how the space around Christ's body affects the composition. Curator: Thinking about these arrangements helps us consider its effectiveness. Editor: Absolutely, it has given me a new appreciation for printmaking techniques.