Christ Tells His Disciples of the Last Judgment Possibly 1630

Christoph Murer made this print, "Christ Tells His Disciples of the Last Judgment," using a technique called wood engraving. This process involves carving a design into the end grain of a block of wood, then inking the surface and pressing it onto paper. The dense, smooth surface of the end grain allows for very fine detail, as you can see here in the intricate lines defining the figures and the architecture. Look closely, and you'll notice how the artist varies the thickness and spacing of these lines to create tonal contrasts and a sense of depth. Wood engraving was a key technology for the mass production of images, so although Murer was obviously a highly skilled artist, his work was inevitably tied to broader systems of labor, and the dissemination of information. By choosing this medium, he situated himself within a world of commerce and communication. This was not an isolated act of artistry. It was a contribution to a much wider flow of images and ideas.