The Crow and the Pitcher 1950

Antonio Frasconi made this woodcut, "The Crow and the Pitcher", using black ink to carve shapes into a surface. The black and white gives it a graphic punch, almost like a comic. Look at how Frasconi uses lines to create the crow’s feathers and the shadows on the pitcher. The lines aren't just outlines; they add texture and depth. The little stones at the bottom – each one is unique, like Frasconi took real pleasure in carving each one. The crow looks so cunning, with that beady eye and the stone in its beak. It makes you wonder what it’s thinking. Frasconi’s work reminds me of Lynd Ward, another artist who loved woodcuts. Both of them knew how to make simple lines tell complicated stories. Art isn’t about perfect answers; it’s about keeping the conversation going.