Seated Man With Fishing Rod 1820

Utagawa Kunisada created this woodblock print, "Seated Man With Fishing Rod," using a subtractive process. The image begins as a single block of wood, which is then carefully carved away to leave a raised surface. This relief is then inked, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Note the flat expanses of color, crisp lines, and the layering of multiple blocks to achieve the final design. Woodblock printing was a meticulous, collaborative process, involving the artist, block carver, and printer, each with specialized skills. This division of labor allowed for the mass production of prints, making art accessible to a wider audience during the Edo period. Prints like these, though seemingly simple, were powerful tools of communication and cultural exchange. They reflect the artistry inherent in the craft, and challenge our notions of art as a solitary pursuit, instead highlighting the social and economic networks that enable artistic production.