Verschillende scènes uit het boek Exodus 1530 - 1533

This small print, “Verschillende scènes uit het boek Exodus”, meaning, "Various Scenes from the Book of Exodus," was made by an anonymous artist, and its medium is woodcut. Woodcut is a relief printing process, the artist carves an image into the surface of a block of wood, leaving the printing parts level with the surface while removing the non-printing parts. The block is then inked and pressed onto paper. The bold lines and strong contrasts in this print are typical of the woodcut technique. What is really interesting about woodcut, is that the final appearance is directly influenced by the character of the wood itself. The grain and texture of the wood can be seen in the finished print, giving it a tactile quality. The artist would have needed skill, both in the drawing of the scene, and in the use of chisels and gouges to carve away the wood. Prints like this were often produced in multiples, making images accessible to a wide audience. Woodcut was used for many purposes including, decorating textiles, and even wallpaper. So, next time you see a print, remember to think about the labor, the skills, and the materials that went into its creation.