woodcut
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woodcut
An artistic printing technique in which a motif is carved into a wooden block. It refers both to the process itself and to the finished print made from this block.
Albrecht Dürer war ein Meister des Holzschnitts.
Albrecht Dürer was a master of the woodcut.
The word consists of 'Holz' (wood) and 'Schnitt' (cut). It literally describes the original artistic technique in which an image is cut into a piece of wood.
Im Museum gibt es eine beeindruckende Sammlung alter Holzschnitte.
The museum has an impressive collection of old woodcuts.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about art, museums, or printing techniques, the literal meaning is intended. If it is about criticism of films, books, or characters, the figurative, negative meaning is intended.
Dieser Holzschnitt aus dem 16. Jahrhundert ist sehr wertvoll.
This woodcut from the 16th century is very valuable.
In the figurative meaning, 'Holzschnitt' (crude sketch) is always negative criticism. It describes a depiction that is too simple, clichéd, and without depth. It is often intensified with 'reinster' (pure/absolute) or 'grober' (crude).
Die Argumentation des Politikers war ein grober Holzschnitt und ignorierte alle komplexen Details.
The politician's argument was a crude sketch and ignored all the complex details.
simplification
'die Vereinfachung' and 'der Holzschnitt' can both refer to a highly simplified representation. 'Vereinfachung' is neutral and can be positive if it makes something clearer. But it can also go too far and then become imprecise. In its figurative meaning, 'Holzschnitt' almost always means a crude representation without fine distinctions. This word sounds more critical. If you only want to say that something has been made easier, 'Vereinfachung' fits. If you want to emphasize that a representation is too crude, 'Holzschnitt' fits.
Der Bericht über die Stadt ist nur ein Holzschnitt und lässt viele wichtige Details weg.
The report about the city is only a crude sketch and leaves out many important details.
Der Arzt wählte eine Vereinfachung, damit die Patientin den Befund besser versteht.
The doctor chose a simplification so that the patient could understand the findings better.