LANDSCAPE c. 19th century

Editor: This is "Landscape" by Utagawa Hiroshige. It's held at the Harvard Art Museums, though we don't have a date listed. It feels like a snapshot of everyday life. What do you see in terms of the production and its cultural value? Curator: I'm immediately drawn to the woodblock printing process. Consider the labor involved in carving those blocks, the specific papers used, the pigments carefully applied, and how these materials contribute to the final product. Also, think about how it speaks to the availability of art to the masses via prints like these. Editor: So, it's less about the scene itself and more about how it was made, and who could access it? Curator: Exactly. It blurs the lines between "high art" and a more accessible, consumable product reflecting labor and materials in 19th century Japan. Has your view changed at all? Editor: Definitely. I hadn't considered the economic and social aspects of its production before. Curator: Understanding the materiality opens up a whole new way of appreciating the piece.