Les Paradisiers. Menado, Celebes 1937

Paul Jacoulet made "Les Paradisiers. Menado, Celebes" using woodblock printing, a technique rooted in both art and craft traditions. Woodblock printing requires a collaboration of skilled artisans, from the artist who creates the initial design, to the block carver who painstakingly translates the image into a series of wooden blocks, and the printer who applies ink and presses the paper to create the final print. Each color in the print requires a separate block, demanding precision. Jacoulet was fascinated by the ethnic diversity of the Pacific islands. This image, though aestheticized, is full of observations of cultural practices and dress. Jacoulet's art reflects the labor-intensive processes that are often overlooked in traditional art history. By emphasizing the value of materials, making, and context, we challenge the distinction between fine art and craft.