Artwork
Skull
Skull is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hans Wechtlin I. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Skull is a 1520 chiaroscuro woodcut in blue by Hans Wechtlin I.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a grinning skull with deep shadows around its eye sockets, potentially intended for use in a medical or religious text.
Technique & Style
The chiaroscuro technique involved carving two woodblocks, one for light areas and one for dark, which were then printed together to achieve a striking contrast.
Context
The use of blue ink gives the skull an eerie glow, while the woodcut medium was commonly used for book illustrations during this period.
Artist & collection
