Young Woman after a Bath c. 1745

Ishikawa Toyonobu’s “Young Woman after a Bath” is a woodblock print, a process intimately tied to the culture of Edo-period Japan. The image is made by carving a design into a block of wood, inking it, and then pressing paper against the block to transfer the image. A separate block is required for each color, demanding meticulous labor. The smooth paper gives a delicate texture, making the colors appear soft, and the lines crisp. Woodblock prints like these were not just art objects, but products of a sophisticated industry. Artisans, publishers, and vendors all played a part, making art accessible to a broad public. This print reflects the tastes and aspirations of its time, connecting beauty to the everyday realities of labor, commerce, and culture. Appreciating how it was made deepens our understanding of its meaning.