War with Guelders, plate 5 from Historical Scenes from the Life of Emperor Maximilian I from the Triumphal Arch c. 1515 - 1520

This print, made by Wolf Traut, is from a series entitled 'Historical Scenes from the Life of Emperor Maximilian I from the Triumphal Arch'. It’s a woodcut, meaning the artist carved away the negative space around the design, leaving raised lines to hold ink and create the image. Looking closely, we can see how the physical properties of the wood and the way it was cut have influenced the image: the sharp, clean lines, and the stark contrast between black and white. This is a battle scene, so the graphic quality of the print powerfully conveys the drama and violence of the conflict. The sheer amount of labor that went into producing this image speaks to the social context of the time. Woodcuts like these were relatively inexpensive to produce and could be widely disseminated, allowing for the rapid spread of information and propaganda. By understanding the materials, making, and context of this print, we gain a deeper appreciation for its significance as both a work of art and a historical document. It challenges the divide between fine art and craft.