Jurōjin [center of a triptych] 1884

This is Jurōjin, painted by Kawanabe Kyōsai in Japan with ink and color on paper. The monochrome aesthetic uses only the tonal variation of black ink to give the artwork its depth and texture. Look closely at the different brushstrokes and the effects that the artist achieves through layering and blending. These brushstrokes must be swiftly and surely applied. It requires a certain level of mastery over the tools and materials. This type of painting involves a deep engagement with the materials, and a high degree of skill developed through practice. Kyōsai engaged with a long history of creative practices and aesthetics from both the so-called ‘high’ and ‘low’ traditions of artmaking. Consider how the artist’s choices, from the materials to the techniques, contribute to the overall meaning and appreciation of the work. This challenges conventional distinctions between fine art and craft.