The Entombment, from The Passion 1512

Albrecht Durer made this small print of The Entombment in the early 16th century, using the technique of woodcutting. The process involves painstakingly carving an image into a block of wood, then inking and printing it. Notice the dense network of lines that create light and shadow effects, almost like a drawing. This wasn't easy to achieve with wood. Durer was among the first artists to truly master printmaking, elevating it to a high art. Before this, woodcuts were largely confined to the realm of popular imagery. They were cheap to produce, with the carving often done by specialized craftspeople, and the printing process less valued. By personally cutting his blocks, and marketing them as original works, Durer put printmaking on the map as a fine art. The result is more than just a religious scene. It's a testament to the power of the handmade and the blurring of boundaries between craft and art.