Saint Bernard Adoring the Man of Sorrows 

Lucas Cranach the Elder made this woodcut print, Saint Bernard Adoring the Man of Sorrows, using a painstaking subtractive process. The artist would have used specialized carving tools to remove material from the block of wood, leaving behind a raised design that would receive ink. This process demands a high level of skill, as mistakes are difficult to correct. The linear quality of the print is directly linked to the cutting action of the knife or gouge through the wood. Look at the close parallel lines used to create shading and texture. The resulting image could be reproduced many times over, an early form of mass production. This was revolutionary. Consider the labor involved, not only in the artist’s studio, but also in the cultivation and milling of wood, and the production of ink and paper. Ultimately, it is this convergence of materials, techniques, and social context that gives the print its lasting impact. It’s a work of art, design, and a document of technological change, all rolled into one.