America (Amerika) 1860

Utagawa Hiroshige III created this woodblock print, titled *America*, using a technique known as *ukiyo-e*. It was a highly developed commercial art practice by the late 19th century. *Ukiyo-e*, meaning "pictures of the floating world," involved a division of labor: an artist who made the original design, and a block cutter who would painstakingly carve a separate block for each color, and a printer who applied the colors in sequence to build up the final image. The linear qualities, flat planes, and bold use of color are all characteristic of this medium. With the opening of Japan to international trade in the late 19th century, it became fashionable to depict foreigners. But what's most interesting is how the artist has taken the raw materials of printmaking and used them to create a cultural artifact that reflects a specific social and historical context, including the rise of capitalism and global trade. This print isn't just a pretty picture; it's a window into a complex world of cultural exchange and artistic production.