Christus aan het kruis genageld 1648

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut depicting the crucifixion of Christ around the early 17th century. Look closely, and you'll notice the marks left by the artist's tools. Sichem used a knife to carve the image into a block of wood, a painstaking process that required skill and precision. Woodcuts like this were relatively inexpensive to produce, making them accessible to a wide audience. The choice of wood as a material is significant. It connects the image to traditions of craftsmanship and manual labor. The graphic nature of the medium, with its bold lines and strong contrasts, emphasizes the violence of the scene, the labor involved, and the suffering of Christ. By focusing on the materiality and production of this woodcut, we gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and cultural context in which it was created, bridging the gap between fine art and the everyday practices of making.