Scene from a Drama 1735 - 1736

Torii Kiyonobu II created this image of actors from a drama using woodblock printing, a technique deeply embedded in the crafts tradition. The flat planes of color and bold outlines are not accidental; they result directly from the process. Each color requires a separate block, carefully carved and aligned to build the overall composition. Look closely, and you can see the outlines of the actors, the textures of their robes, and the details of the landscape. This print would have been made collaboratively, involving not only the artist, but also woodblock carvers and printers. These artisans would have been skilled in their respective crafts, contributing their expertise to bring Kiyonobu's design to life. Woodblock prints like this were commercial products, made in relatively large numbers and sold to a wide audience. This brings questions about the commodification of art, and the labor involved in its production. Appreciating the artistry of the printmaking process brings us closer to the social and economic contexts in which it was made, and challenges our understanding of the traditional divide between art and craft.