Argonauten: Psychische kracht onaantastbaar 1894

This small woodcut, Argonauten: Psychische kracht onaantastbaar, was made by Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel. The image is created through the careful, laborious process of woodcut. Here, the artist would have used specialist tools to carve away at the block's surface, leaving the design to stand in relief. The block would then be inked and printed, creating this graphic image. This process allows for strong contrasts and bold lines, and the texture of the wood grain often subtly appears in the print. The woodcut technique itself, deeply rooted in craft traditions, mirrors the artwork’s theme of resilience and strength. The labor-intensive nature of woodcutting contrasts with the mass production of images in modern times, highlighting the value of craft and individual skill. By engaging with the traditions of woodcut, De Bazel elevates a humble material through skilled labor, reminding us of the value inherent in both the making and the message of the artwork.