The Big wave 

Editor: So here we have "The Big Wave" by Katsushika Hokusai, made with woodblock print. I find its depiction of the wave incredibly dynamic and threatening, yet the scene has a striking minimalist beauty. What stands out to you most in this print? Curator: I'm immediately drawn to the materiality and the means of production. Consider the labour involved in carving those woodblocks to create these precise lines, the cultural status of printmaking at the time, and its role in distributing images. Think about who would have been consuming this print, and where. How does the relatively accessible format of the woodblock print democratize art ownership compared to unique paintings? Editor: That’s a good point. It is an accessible form. Did the medium affect the composition? Curator: Absolutely. The limitations and possibilities inherent in woodblock printing certainly dictated aesthetic choices. Notice the clear outlines and flat planes of color. That economy of detail is in part a product of the medium itself. Think also about the distribution network. These prints weren’t necessarily viewed as ‘high art’ in their time but were often mass produced for a broader market, like illustrated books or maps. Editor: That is fascinating. Thinking of it that way makes me see the print’s role in popular culture back then. Curator: Exactly. By examining the material production and its intended audience, we understand “The Big Wave” not just as a pretty picture but as a commodity circulated within a complex social and economic system. Editor: I never thought about that before! It sheds new light on it. Thanks! Curator: You’re welcome! There is always more to discover.