Print 1800 - 1820

Editor: This woodblock print, titled "Print," was created sometime between 1800 and 1820 by Yashima Gakutei. I’m really drawn to the intricate floral patterns on the woman’s kimono. It feels so deliberate. What strikes you when you look at this print? Curator: For me, the appeal lies in understanding how this print was made, particularly its relationship to ukiyo-e's commercial context. Look at the layered fabrics of the kimono, for example; such intricate designs weren't just aesthetic choices, they involved specific carving techniques and multiple blocks, impacting the labor involved. Editor: That's interesting! So you're thinking about the actual process and the hands involved? Curator: Precisely. Consider the material value, the paper, the inks. Woodblock printing, while a technique, existed within a network of producers, artisans, and consumers. Each element connects to class, labour and economic realities. How does viewing it through this lens shift your perspective? Editor: It makes me think about accessibility, or maybe inaccessibility. Were these prints for everyone, or just certain social classes? The craftsmanship feels like something of high value, even today. Curator: Ukiyo-e prints occupied a fascinating space – they were produced serially, therefore relatively affordable, yet involved specialized skills. These images reflect, but also shape, the desires and aspirations of their consumers. Editor: So it's a mix of accessibility and skilled labor creating the image. It shows the artist’s hand but also connects to wider economic and societal structures. Thanks for sharing; it makes me consider prints differently now. Curator: Indeed! Reflecting on the material conditions of art offers deeper understandings of its cultural significance.