Ark van het verbond en voorwerpen uit de tabernakel 1645 - 1646

This is an image of the Ark of the Covenant and objects from the tabernacle, made by Christoffel van Sichem II. The image is a woodcut, a relief printmaking technique that involves carving an image into the surface of a block of wood, applying ink to the raised surface, and then pressing it onto paper. The making of this print would have begun with the selection of a suitable block of wood, usually a fine-grained hardwood like boxwood. The artist would then carefully transfer the design onto the block, likely using a drawing. With specialized tools, such as gouges and knives, Sichem would carve away the areas of the block that were not intended to print, leaving the lines of the image raised. The amount of labor involved in this process should not be overlooked, with each line requiring careful planning and execution. Once the carving was complete, the block would be inked with a roller, and then a sheet of paper laid on top. Pressure would be applied using a printing press to transfer the ink from the block to the paper, creating the final print. The image then could have been reproduced many times, using the same woodblock. This print represents not just artistic skill, but also the social and technological conditions of its making. By understanding the materials and processes involved, we can appreciate the full meaning of this image, and recognize the artistry in a work made from the most humble of materials.