Jozef wordt in de put gegooid 1645 - 1646

This print, "Jozef wordt in de put gegooid", was made by Christoffel van Sichem II. This image has been carved into a block of wood, inked, and then printed onto paper. Look closely and you'll see that every line is the result of a deliberate cut into the block, using a tool like a knife or a gouge. The process of woodcutting has a direct impact on the image. Notice the strong contrast between light and shadow and the bold, graphic quality of the lines. These effects come from the way the artist has removed material from the block, leaving raised areas to catch the ink. In a way, woodcuts were the social media of their day, making images and ideas accessible to a wide audience. By understanding the labor and skill involved in woodcutting, we can appreciate how prints like these played a vital role in shaping cultural and religious beliefs.