Long in times past, during the darkest era of human history when Huns plundered the lands, battles were fought, castles were built aloft steep mountainsides, horses trod for thousands of miles to new territory, witches were burnt, animals raised, nobel ties flourished, and common people tended to the land, there was creative expression to represent them. Traditionally, a design was drawn on a piece of wood, and then a specialist cutter would carve away the piece into a finished plank that would resemble a scene of some sort. The surface receives the ink and the paper or canvas is placed over it and rubbed over with a brayer. Aesthetically, these were mostly done in black and white, but color did appear on occasion. These completed works were probably quite sought after, and now are some of the best reflections of medieval times next to literature.
Some of my favorite ones date from the hostility and fear that became rampant when Satan was recognized and women were accused of being witches. Others were thought to hold Sabbaths and black masses in honor of the dark lord. I also have a particular fondness for the complex cuts depicting the crimes of Attila The Hun, The Blood Countess and Vlad Tepes. Horrific portrayals of death, sorrow of the people, evil, war and tyranny became part of the magnificent Gothic art that we remember it for now. They span a period of time so rich, and have survived to this day. They originate not only from the medieval period, but also from the nomadic and viking times and include some fictional collections. Admired by common folk, metalheads, historians, occultists, etc.
Check out some of the works here:
paul mccarroll
November 17, 2011 at 1:54 pm
nice.
the Shub Niggurath one above is by Liv Rainey Smith.
I have her ‘krampus’ woodcut print, great stuff.