Heilige Bonosus als kluizenaar 1644

This print of Saint Bonosus as a Hermit was made by Christoffel van Sichem II, using woodcut, a technique common in the 17th century. Notice the texture that the process creates. Sichem cuts away the negative space around the lines, leaving raised areas to catch the ink. He has painstakingly carved into the block of wood to create this intricate image, cutting along the wood’s grain. Look closely, and you'll see a myriad of fine lines. This is a subtractive process, where the artist is limited to what remains after each cut. The act of carving transforms the wood, revealing the image as the unwanted material is removed. Although this print appears simple, the labor that went into this work is considerable. The artist harnessed the material properties of wood, engaging in a dialogue between intention and the inherent qualities of the medium. Appreciating the labor, skill, and material involved in the production of this artwork allows us to move past traditional hierarchies between art and craft.