The Descent from the Cross c. 1518

Ugo da Carpi made this print, The Descent from the Cross, using a woodcut technique called chiaroscuro. It's not just carving a line, but using tone to model the forms. Think about the labor involved in creating this image. Da Carpi had to carve away the wood around each line and shape, in separate blocks, each inked with a different tone. By carefully aligning and printing these blocks, he achieved a subtle, almost painterly effect. It's a reproductive medium, allowing images to be disseminated more widely. The very material – wood – gives the print a distinctive character. Notice the way the grain influences the texture, and how the carving creates a sense of depth and shadow. This wasn't just about replicating an image, but about exploring the potential of printmaking as a creative medium in its own right. It's a tour de force of craft, and reminds us that printmaking, like any other artistic endeavor, is rooted in process and material.