Samson Killing the Lion 1515

Hans Burgkmair created this woodcut, "Samson Killing the Lion," around 1515. Woodcut is a relief printing process, where the artist carves an image into a block of wood. Ink is applied to the remaining raised surface, and then transferred to paper. The stark contrast between black lines and white space defines the composition, lending a graphic quality to the scene. Look closely, and you'll notice how Burgkmair skillfully used varying line weights and cross-hatching to create a sense of depth and texture. The dense, rhythmic lines not only depict the figures, but also convey the intense struggle between Samson and the lion. Woodcut was a popular and relatively inexpensive medium for disseminating images during the Renaissance. Prints like these made biblical stories accessible to a wider audience. By mastering this craft, artists like Burgkmair played a crucial role in shaping visual culture and influencing social values. Woodcut reminds us that art is always shaped by the means of its making, and the world it enters.