Plaag van de sprinkhanen 1645 - 1646

This is "Plaag van de sprinkhanen" or "The Plague of Locusts" made by Christoffel van Sichem II. It is a woodcut, a relief printing process where an image is carved into the surface of a block of wood, with the printing parts remaining level with the surface while the non-printing parts are removed. Consider how the qualities of the wood itself influence the print's appearance. The linear quality, achieved through the carving process, creates a graphic scene of chaos and destruction, as the swarm descends upon the figures below. Woodcut is a relatively accessible medium, yet it demands considerable skill to execute well. Sichem, working in the 17th century, would have likely been part of a workshop, where the division of labor would have been crucial to the production of these images. This print is a testament to the way that even seemingly simple materials and processes can carry complex social and cultural significance. It reminds us to look closely at the handiwork embedded in even the most humble of objects.