Herodes verschijnt voor de rechterstoel van Hyrkanus 1574

Christoffel van Sichem I created this woodcut, Herodes verschijnt voor de rechterstoel van Hyrkanus, at an unknown date. The process of woodcutting involves carving an image into the surface of a wood block, and the parts that are not carved away will print in black ink. The lines and forms of this woodcut create a dramatic scene in which Herod stands before Hyrcanus. Look closely, and you can see the incredible amount of labor it must have taken to carve all these tiny lines. Woodcut was a relatively democratic medium, since prints could be produced in large numbers and sold inexpensively. However, it also required a great deal of skill. A printmaker would have needed to be patient, precise, and highly trained. We should consider the social and economic context in which this print was made, and the immense time investment required of the artist. By appreciating the labor involved, we can better understand the value and meaning of this woodcut, and recognize its place within a broader history of craft and fine art.