Final answer:
Intarsia is a process also known as inlay, which involves cutting spaces into wood to be filled with wood shapes of different colors, creating intricate patterns or images.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intarsia is a process, also known as inlay, in which spaces are cut into wood and filled with wood shapes of a different color. This art form can be traced back to the medieval period where it started as a method used to create intricate designs on metal armors, commonly known as engraving. Unlike inlay techniques such as mosaic, where images are formed using small pieces of hard material such as stone, glass, or metal, intarsia specifically involves making patterns with wood. The art of intarsia requires precision and creativity, as artists create complex images and patterns by fitting together pieces of different types and colors of wood. Not to be confused with mosaic, which has been widely applied throughout history by different cultures, especially noted in Greek and Roman homes and Byzantine churches, intarsia holds a special place in woodwork and furniture making.