Vrouwen in een openlucht kamer 1793 - 1797

Hosoda Eishi's "Women in an Open-Air Room" was made using woodblock printing, a quintessential technique of the Edo period in Japan. The process began with a key block, usually cut from cherry wood, defining the image’s outlines. Separate blocks were then carved for each color, requiring meticulous registration to ensure precise layering. The material qualities of the paper—thin, absorbent—allowed for subtle gradations of tone and color. Look closely at the women’s kimonos, where delicate floral patterns and folds are rendered with precision, the result of labor-intensive carving and printing. The woodblock technique also enabled mass production, reflecting the growing urbanization and consumer culture of the time, and the rising merchant class of the Edo period that helped to support art production. Understanding the modes of production gives insight into both the aesthetic qualities and the social context of the print. By focusing on materials and making, we can appreciate the skill involved in creating this image, challenging any lingering assumptions about the divide between art and craft.