Caricature of the Laocoon Group

About this work

This image shows a dramatic scene carved into the paper. In the center, a man struggles with two giant snakes twisting around him. Behind him, a village with small buildings sits on a hill, while trees and rocky ground fill the rest of the background. The lines are sharp and the shading creates a sense of movement and tension. The artist used a technique where ink is pressed into carved wood to make prints. This style was common in the 1500s and allowed for many copies of the same image. Next, look up woodcut to see how this printing method works.