Bijbelsche kinderprenten 1869 - 1908

Héliodore Joseph Pisan created this set of biblical images using wood engraving, a process that demands both artistic skill and intense labor. Wood engraving, unlike woodcut, uses the end grain of the wood block, allowing for finer detail and a greater range of tonal values. The artist would have used specialized tools called gravers or burins to carve the image into the block. Each cut removes material, creating the white areas of the print. The remaining raised areas receive ink, which is then transferred to paper under pressure in a printing press. This was a time-consuming process, requiring patience and precision. The very nature of printmaking allowed for mass production, which tied in to wider social issues of labor and consumption. These inexpensive prints would have been widely distributed, disseminating religious narratives to a broad audience. In understanding this artwork, it’s important to recognize the significance of its materiality, the skilled making involved, and its context within a rapidly industrializing society.