Een steekspel en een bode bij een vorst 1515

Albrecht Durer made this print of a tournament and a royal audience sometime around the turn of the 16th century. It’s a woodcut, a relief printing process where the artist carves an image into the surface of a block of wood, leaving the design raised. The raised parts are inked and then printed onto paper. In this print, Durer uses the stark contrast between the cut and uncut areas to create a dramatic scene. Look at the intricate details he achieves, from the armor of the knights to the folds in the courtiers' robes. The texture of the wood itself adds another layer, with the grain subtly visible in the printed areas. Durer’s mastery of the woodcut was critical to his success. Prints like these were relatively inexpensive to produce and could be widely distributed. In effect, he was an early master of mechanical reproduction, using this technique to build a brand and grow his audience. This print isn't just a work of art; it's a testament to the power of printmaking in a rapidly changing world.