WHAT IS INTARSIA? The term "Intarsia" is derived from the Latin Verb interserere, "To insert or the process of inlaying wood". In making an Intarsia style picture, each piece of wood is selected for color variation and grain direction then cut, sanded and glued in place in accordance to a working pattern. The finished piece of art could be best described as being similar to a 3D Picture Puzzle or a Painting created using Wood. •tar•si•a Pronunciation [ intär´sEu ] or tarsia An art or technique of decorating a surface with inlaid patterns, esp. of wood mosaic.