The Ascension 1485 - 1528

Albrecht Durer created this tiny woodcut, "The Ascension," using a block of wood, probably pear, a knife, and a burnisher. To make this print, Durer painstakingly cut away areas of the woodblock to leave a raised design. He then applied ink to the surface and pressed paper against it. The linear quality of the image and the way that the lines describe the forms, from the robes of the apostles to the clouds, are testaments to Durer's skill. Prints like this one were relatively inexpensive and could be produced in multiples. This made them accessible to a wide audience, contributing to the spread of ideas and images during the Renaissance. This also allowed Durer to spread his fame. The labor-intensive process of woodcutting connects this fine art print to the broader world of craft and design, reminding us that artistic expression has always been intertwined with technical skill and social context.