A Woman Before the Mirror 1930

Torii Kotondo made this print, 'A Woman Before the Mirror,' using the ukiyo-e woodblock technique. The soft pinks and grays create a really intimate mood. You can tell that artmaking for Kotondo was all about process. Looking closely, you can see the texture of the paper and the subtle variations in color, which means that the woodblocks were layered, one on top of the other. It's not just about the final image, but about each step along the way. The lines are so clean and precise and yet there's an incredible softness to the overall effect, especially in the woman's skin. I like the way the pinks in her kimono work against the muted gray background, drawing your eye into the details. The whole piece has a delicate, dreamy quality. Kotondo reminds me a little of someone like Kitagawa Utamaro in the way he captures the beauty and grace of women in their everyday lives. It's like we're catching a glimpse of something private and personal. Art isn’t just about telling a story. It is also about creating a mood.