Bishop c. 1520

This Bishop was carved from wood by Hendrik Douverman in the early 16th century. As you can see, the figure is rendered with great dignity. It is made from a single block of wood, and the sculptor has used knives, chisels, and gouges to create a convincing likeness of a religious figure. The choice of wood as a material is significant. It was plentiful, relatively inexpensive, and easily worked. Look closely, and you can see the texture and grain of the wood shining through. Wood lends itself beautifully to intricate carvings, and also offered a degree of warmth and human connection, in contrast to colder materials like stone. Douverman’s Bishop reflects a time when handcraft remained the dominant mode of production. Every mark on this Bishop speaks of the artist's hand, skill, and labor, inviting us to appreciate the time and talent required to transform a raw material into a work of enduring beauty. When we consider the material and the making, we see that this is more than just a religious icon: it's a testament to the enduring power of craft.