Saint Anthony of Padua (Sant'Antonio de Padova)) 1969

Pietro Parigi made this print of Saint Anthony of Padua, probably sometime in the 20th century, using a woodcut technique. I love how the stark contrast of black and white creates a dramatic, almost theatrical effect. You can really see the hand of the artist in the way the image is carved. The textures are amazing. The way Parigi used the tool to create the saint's robe and the furrows of his brow is so expressive. See how the sharp, clean lines give way to rougher, more fragmented marks in the shadows? The white areas feel like they're pushing forward, illuminated, while the black recedes. It gives the image depth and a kind of spiritual weight. I like how the flame mirrors the plant – both have the same kind of wriggly energy. This print reminds me a little of the German Expressionist woodcuts, like those by Kirchner, where the raw, direct carving mirrors an interior emotional state. It's like Parigi is using the medium itself to convey something about faith, doubt, and the human condition.