Allegorie met een jonge vrouw en een man 1635 - 1694

This print was created by Dirck de Bray in the 17th Century, using woodcut, a relief printmaking technique. The image is made using the material qualities of the woodblock. Notice how the artist cuts away at the block to leave the design raised, which catches the ink and transfers the image to paper. The texture of the wood grain itself can also influence the final print, adding depth and character. This is a skilled process, requiring precision and control to carve the intricate details of the composition. This particular type of print was common at the time, made possible by the rise of the printing press, which transformed the speed at which images and information could be disseminated. Thinking about the labor involved in the production of this print encourages us to consider it as more than just a picture. Instead, we can appreciate it as a product of a specific time and place, reflecting cultural values around labor, skill, and the mass production of images.