The Fox and the Crow 1950

Here's Antonio Frasconi's woodcut print, "The Fox and the Crow", and just look at the way he’s carved into the wood, making the whole scene pop with graphic energy. I'm thinking about Frasconi in his studio, pushing that gouge through the wood, each line a deliberate choice. The fox's gaping mouth, all teeth and longing, makes me wonder what Frasconi was thinking about desire, about being tricked, about the stories we tell ourselves. He makes you feel the fox's desperation, even though it's just black and white. Look at that crow perched up there, holding tight to its prize! It's like Frasconi is winking at us, reminding us that art, like life, is full of sly characters and tall tales. This piece connects to a longer tradition of printmaking as social commentary, but it also feels deeply personal. Artists like Frasconi show us how to see the world with fresh eyes, inviting us to laugh, question, and create our own stories in response.