The Presentation in the Temple
1519
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1519
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This woodcut shows a group of people in a church-like space with tall, arched windows. In the center, a woman holds a baby while an older man reaches toward them. Around them, other figures watch or kneel, and the scene feels busy but orderly. The lines are sharp, and the shading adds depth to the robes and architecture. The artist used a technique where ink is pressed into carved wood to make prints. This method was common in the 1500s and allowed images to be copied easily. Next, look up woodcut to see how this printing process works.
