The Hare and the Tortoise 1950

This image is Antonio Frasconi’s woodcut print of “The Hare and the Tortoise.” Think about the artist, his hands, and how he would have carved away at this block of wood to create these figures. What strikes me is the contrast between the hare, all airy and light, almost dissolving amidst the leaves. The tortoise, in comparison, is a dark, solid mass with such a detailed patterned shell. The details have been made using tiny cuts. I really admire how Frasconi creates textures, and shading with simple gouges. You can see the history of mark making in every line, and the care taken by the artist. Each cut is like a breath or a thought, adding up to a whole. This piece feels like a conversation across time, Frasconi taking up an old story, then remaking it.