Segawa Kikunojo III 1781 - 1811

This woodblock print, made by Katsukawa Shun'ei, shows the actor Segawa Kikunojo III. The artist used a subtractive process, carving away areas of a woodblock, to create the image. The materiality of the wood influenced the appearance of the artwork. Because wood has a grain, this impacted the ways in which the artist could carve the image. The printmaking process also imbues this artwork with cultural significance. Woodblock prints like this were relatively inexpensive, and were sold to a wide audience. It took a team of artisans to create this artwork, from the artist to the carver to the printer. By focusing on the materials, making, and context, we can understand the full meaning of this artwork. It challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.