A hand-coloured woodcut by Urs Graf depicting the biblical parable of the mote and the beam, rendered in a direct, graphic Northern Renaissance style.

This hand-coloured woodcut by the Swiss artist Urs Graf depicts the biblical parable of the mote and the beam. The scene illustrates a man attempting to remove a small speck, or mote, from his neighbour's eye, while a large wooden beam protrudes from his own. Graf employs a direct, graphic style typical of early sixteenth-century printmaking, where bold outlines define the figures against a simplified background. The composition is compact, focusing on the interaction between the two central figures. The addition of hand-applied colour provides a distinct visual character to the print, typical of the period when woodcuts were often finished by hand to increase their visual appeal for collectors. Urs Graf was a prolific draughtsman and goldsmith based in Basel. His work often reflects the social and religious tensions of the Reformation era. This specific print captures the moralising tone common in Northern Renaissance art. The figures are rendered with a sense of urgency, their gestures exaggerated to communicate the absurdity of the situation described in the Gospel of Matthew. The background includes architectural elements and a small boat, providing a sense of place despite the overall flatness of the image. The artist's mark is visible in the lower right corner, a common feature in his graphic output. This print offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the early sixteenth century, where religious narratives were disseminated through accessible, mass-produced imagery. The work remains a clear example of how printmakers of the time combined technical skill with didactic storytelling to engage a wide audience.