Allegorie op de Heilsgenade door het geloof in Christus before 1646

Christoffel van Sichem II made this small woodcut, "Allegory on Salvation by Faith in Christ", sometime before his death in 1658. Woodcut is a relief printing process, where the artist carves away the areas that will not be inked, leaving the design standing in relief. The stark contrast in this print emerges from the way the artist skillfully cut into the woodblock to create lines and textures. The process of carving the block is laborious, demanding both precision and control. The artist used sharp tools to remove material and create the image. The inherent qualities of the wood—its grain and density—would have influenced the final appearance of the print. Woodcuts like this were often used for book illustrations or devotional images, widely distributed and consumed by a broad audience. It’s a reminder that the making process is tied to wider social issues of labor, religion, and consumption. The finished object prompts us to consider the skilled work involved in its production, and challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.