Parabel van de koning en de dienaar die geen vergiffenis schonk 1485 - 1491

This woodcut, "Parable of the King and the Servant Who Did Not Forgive," was created in Antwerp by the Master of Antwerp, using a relief printing process. Notice how each figure is delineated through stark lines carved into a block of wood. Ink was then applied to the block's surface and pressed onto paper, a relatively inexpensive method that allowed for the wider distribution of images and ideas. The addition of color by hand adds complexity, with each hue carefully applied within the block's outlines. The checkerboard floor creates a sense of depth in the scene, but also highlights the graphic nature of the woodcut. The relatively economic medium reflects the parable's theme of forgiveness and judgment. The woodcut's accessibility aligns with the story's intent to reach a broad audience. The use of printmaking facilitated the transmission of moral teachings, connecting artmaking directly to the social and cultural values of the time. Through its material and production, this work blurs boundaries between fine art, craft, and popular communication.