Visitation, from Book of Hours n.d.

This is "Visitation, from Book of Hours," made in Paris in 1499 by Philippe Pigouchet. It's a woodcut printed on paper, a process that democratized image-making in its day. Look closely, and you can see the artist has skillfully carved away the wood around the figures and architectural details, leaving the lines in relief to receive the ink. Notice how the linear quality emphasizes the folds of the drapery and the background city, giving texture and depth. The use of woodcut, rather than hand-drawn illustration, speaks to a new kind of production, one with a wider reach. This wasn't just about devotional imagery; it was about making faith accessible through relatively mass-produced means. The image becomes less precious, more part of everyday life. And that shift has implications for who gets to participate in the world of art and belief.