American (Amerikajin), from the series Pictures of Barbarians from Foreign Lands (Bankoku jimbutsu zu), published by Ebiya Rinnosuke Possibly 1861

Curator: This woodblock print, "American," by Utagawa Yoshitsuya, presents an interesting case study. What stands out to you? Editor: The level of detail is impressive, given it's a print. I'm struck by the depiction of the American figure's clothing. The labor involved to create this image must have been intensive. How does the context of its production inform its meaning? Curator: Precisely. Woodblock printing was a complex process, involving carving, inking, and careful alignment. This image isn't just about representing an "American;" it's about the consumption of the West. The artist is essentially selling images of foreign people. Editor: That is insightful. I hadn't considered the consumption aspect so explicitly. Thanks for highlighting that. Curator: My pleasure. It's a reminder that art is always tied to the social and economic conditions of its creation.