A Monarch of Japan 1901

Helen Hyde made this print, A Monarch of Japan, using color woodcut, and it’s a beautiful example of how process shapes the image. The gentle colours and soft textures speak to a real sensitivity to the materials. I love how the grain of the wood seems to peek through, giving the image a kind of organic feel. You can almost feel the artist’s hand, the way she carefully carved each line and shape. And the colours, they’re not flat or uniform, but rather have this subtle variation that adds depth and movement. The area around the child and mother is so delicate, like a soft whisper. It’s as if the artist is inviting us into this intimate moment. It makes me think of Mary Cassatt, another artist who explored similar themes of motherhood and domestic life. Both artists share a keen eye for detail and a deep empathy for their subjects. Ultimately, art is an invitation to slow down, to observe, and to connect with something bigger than ourselves.