Hoop 1502 - 1532

Ugo da Carpi made this chiaroscuro woodcut called “Hoop” sometime in the early 16th century. Here, a female figure raises her arms to hold a hoop. Behind her is a constructed landscape, almost like a theatre set. The image, made in Italy, is an exercise in style. Carpi was one of the first Italian printmakers to use the chiaroscuro technique, layering multiple woodblocks to create dramatic tonal contrasts. But Carpi wasn’t just interested in technical mastery. He also sought to elevate the status of printmaking within the hierarchy of the arts. The classical subject matter, the idealized human form, and the use of dramatic lighting all demonstrate the influence of the Renaissance artistic values championed by institutions such as the art academy. We can consult treatises on art, artist biographies, and collections of model prints to better understand Carpi’s ambitions for printmaking as an art form. Ultimately, this artwork reminds us that art’s meaning is always shaped by the social and institutional contexts in which it is made.