Medaillon met een portret van keizer Theodosius III c. 1631 - 1645

Christoffel Jegher created this woodcut medallion portrait of Emperor Theodosius III. Jegher employed a relief printing technique, cutting away areas of a wood block to leave the design raised, then inking this surface to produce a print. Note the incredible level of detail, especially in the emperor’s armor and headdress. The process demands a painstaking level of skill. The sharply defined lines, achieved through the careful removal of wood, result in a high-contrast image, with bold areas of light and shadow, characteristic of woodcut prints. Prints like this served a vital purpose in early modern Europe. They allowed for the relatively inexpensive distribution of images, and the dissemination of imperial authority. Jegher's print is a testament to the enduring power of the portrait and the woodcut medium, to convey authority. Understanding its materials and method, we see this print not just as a representation, but as a crafted object, deeply embedded in the history of art, labor, and power.