The Archer [L'Arciere] 1917

Adolfo De Carolis created this print, "The Archer," using woodcut, a relief printmaking technique. The artist carves an image into the surface of a wood block, leaving the printing parts level with the surface while removing the non-printing parts. Woodcut is a labor-intensive process, demanding patience and skill. Note how De Carolis used the linear quality of the medium to render the figures' powerful muscles, and to suggest the swirling energy of the scene. The choice of woodcut, with its graphic strength and relative accessibility, places the work in dialogue with a history of printed images intended for a broad audience. De Carolis was interested in revitalizing traditional Italian crafts, and his engagement with woodcut reflects a desire to connect with a pre-industrial past, even while embracing modern artistic themes. The work offers a powerful statement about the relationship between physicality, artistic labor, and cultural identity. By considering the materials and processes behind "The Archer," we can appreciate how it transcends the boundaries between fine art and craft.