Speciale uitgave van 20 september over het grote onderwater gevecht in de Yalu rivier 1894

This print, by Kobayashi Toshimitsu, depicts an underwater battle in the Yalu River. It's a woodblock print, meaning the image was carved into a block of wood, inked, and then transferred to paper. The lines are crisp and the colors vibrant, achieved through a meticulous layering process. The process required highly skilled artisans, who would have spent years mastering their technique. The print captures a fanciful clash between Japanese and Chinese forces. The artist’s vision of underwater combat is pure imagination, with divers battling amidst sea plants, warships firing beams of light, creating a dramatic scene. Woodblock printing was not just a means of artistic expression, it was also a form of mass communication. Prints like these were a way to disseminate news and propaganda, shaping public opinion. By focusing on the skilled labor and the social context of its production, we gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural significance of this seemingly fantastical artwork.