Madonna and Child c. 1630

Bartolomeo Coriolano created this image of the Madonna and Child using a chiaroscuro woodcut, a printmaking technique employing multiple wood blocks to create contrasting light and dark areas. The materiality of the wood itself is key to understanding this image. Coriolano would have used a knife or gouge to carve away areas of the block, leaving a raised surface to receive the ink. The texture of the wood grain subtly influences the final print, adding depth and visual interest. The process required immense skill and patience, demanding precise cuts and careful alignment of each block to achieve the desired effect. This wasn't merely a reproductive process. It was a translation, demanding artistic interpretation at every stage. The very act of carving, layering, and printing imbues the image with a unique character that separates it from painting, and indeed from other prints. This is not just an image, but a material performance.