La Chasse c. 1910

Raoul Dufy made 'La Chasse', or 'The Hunt,' using a technique called woodcut. This is a relief printing process, where the artist carves an image into a block of wood, leaving the design raised. When inked and pressed onto paper, the raised areas create the print. Dufy uses the stark contrast of black ink on white paper to create a highly stylized scene. The material itself, wood, lends a certain roughness to the lines and textures. Look closely, and you will see how the wood's grain influences the overall look. The sharp, angular cuts give the scene a dynamic, almost frantic energy, fitting for a hunting scene. Woodcut is a relatively accessible medium, traditionally associated with folk art and popular imagery. By using this technique, Dufy is engaging with a history of printmaking that sits outside the realm of fine art, incorporating elements of craft and design into his work. The social and cultural implications are clear: Dufy democratizes art by utilizing printing techniques. This challenges the traditional hierarchy between art and craft, reminding us that artistic expression can be found in many forms.