A hand-coloured woodcut by Doen Pietersz. depicting the biblical healing of a blind man, characteristic of early sixteenth-century Dutch book illustration.

This hand-coloured woodcut by the Dutch printer and publisher Doen Pietersz. depicts a biblical narrative, specifically the healing of a blind man. The composition follows the conventions of early sixteenth-century book illustration, where the primary objective is the clear communication of a theological event. The central figure, dressed in a long, flowing robe, reaches out to touch the eyes of the seated man, who is positioned in the foreground. A crowd of onlookers surrounds the pair, their expressions and gestures conveying a sense of witness to the miracle.

The print exhibits the characteristic aesthetic of Northern Renaissance woodcuts. The lines are bold and functional, designed to define form and shadow within the constraints of the relief printing process. The application of colour is somewhat informal, typical of the period where such prints were often hand-tinted after production to increase their visual appeal for the reader. The background features a simplified architectural structure, suggesting an urban setting, while the ground is indicated by basic hatching and cross-hatching techniques.

Doen Pietersz. was active in Amsterdam during the early sixteenth century, a period when the production of illustrated religious texts was expanding. His work reflects the technical limitations and stylistic preferences of the time, prioritising narrative clarity over anatomical precision or atmospheric perspective. The figures are rendered with a degree of stylisation that is common in woodblock prints of this era, where the focus remains on the symbolic representation of the figures rather than realistic portraiture. This piece offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the Dutch Reformation era, where such illustrations were used to make scripture accessible to a wider audience. The print remains a representative example of the intersection between early printing technology and devotional art.