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The Dog and the Crocodile

1950
(American, 1919–2013)
America, 20th century
pencil
Sheet: 30.5 x 22.7 cm (12 x 8 15/16 in.)
Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland 1952.221
© Estate of Antonio Frasconi / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY
Location: not on view
This artwork is known to be under copyright.

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Description

Antonio Frasconi portrays a fable by ancient Roman author Phaedrus about the value of caution when enemies pose as friends: a dog avoids being eaten by a crocodile while drinking from the river in which the creature lives. The preparatory drawings show how Frasconi began by considering the animals, their personalities, and their relationship, while accommodating the rectangular composition of the woodblock on which he would carve his design. In the finished print, Frasconi used the texture of the wood grain to suggest the water’s ripples.
The Dog and the Crocodile

The Dog and the Crocodile

1950

Antonio Frasconi

(American, 1919–2013)
America, 20th century

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