Christus vlucht voor de joden die hem willen kronen c. 1661

This print, titled "Christus vlucht voor de joden die hem willen kronen," or "Christ fleeing from the Jews who want to crown him" was made in the 17th century by the Monogrammist GK. Its medium is relatively simple: ink on paper. But don't let that fool you into thinking it's a simple object. Consider the labor involved. The artist would have first needed to create a matrix, likely a woodblock, carefully cutting away the negative space to leave the design raised. Then, each impression would have been carefully printed. The texture and weight of the paper, the fineness of the lines achieved by the artist, and the repetition of the printing process all speak to a culture of accessible imagery, widely distributed. The artist clearly engaged with the traditions of woodcutting and printing. Ultimately, this print is a reminder that even seemingly humble objects can be powerful carriers of cultural meaning, and that understanding their making is key to unlocking that meaning.