Picture of a Manchurian of the Qing Court from Nanjing, Admiring a Fan 1860

Utagawa Sadahide created this ukiyo-e woodblock print entitled, "Picture of a Manchurian of the Qing Court from Nanjing, Admiring a Fan." The print is divided into a muted palette of blues, purples, and blacks, structuring a scene where the artist uses a flat perspective, typical of ukiyo-e. The eye is drawn to the contrast between the deep blacks and purples of the figures' robes, set against the pastel background. The composition leads us to contemplate the cultural exchange and observation of foreign customs prevalent during the Edo period. Notice how Sadahide employs line and form to capture the essence of the figures' attire and posture. The texture of the woodblock is evident in the print's details, from the subtle patterns on the robes to the delicate rendering of the fans. These elements invite us to consider the ways in which cultural identity is constructed and represented. The formal qualities of the print, such as color and line, operate within a semiotic framework, where the visual elements act as signs. These signs reflect the era’s complex engagement with foreign cultures and its evolving sense of self.