The Arrest of Christ, from Speculum passionis domini nostri Ihesu Christi 1507

Hans Schäufelein made this woodcut, The Arrest of Christ, in the early 16th century. Woodcut is a relief printing process, where the artist carves an image into a block of wood. The remaining raised areas receive ink, which is then transferred to paper. The stark contrast and bold lines come from the nature of the wood, and the sharp tools used to cut away the negative space. Look closely, and you'll see how the dense, linear patterns create a sense of depth and drama. It's a labor-intensive process, requiring precision and control, and the finished print carries the mark of the maker's hand. The medium lends itself to the graphic, almost brutal quality of the image. Schäufelein was part of a larger printmaking industry, where such images were circulated widely. Woodcuts like this one played a crucial role in disseminating religious narratives to a broad audience. By understanding the process, we can appreciate the skill involved, and the social context in which the artwork was created and consumed.