Courtesan with two attendants under cherryblossom 1868 - 1912

Torii Kiyonaga created this print of a courtesan and her attendants under a cherry tree using woodblock printing, a technique known in Japan as *ukiyo-e*. The process begins with a drawing, which is then carefully transferred to a block of wood, usually cherry. The artist carves away the areas that will not be printed, leaving a raised surface. Ink is then applied to the block, and paper is laid on top, transferring the image. Each color requires a separate block, demanding meticulous registration. The fine lines and subtle gradations of color in Kiyonaga's print reflect the skill and labor involved in this process. The choice of subject matter is also significant, reflecting the cultural importance of the pleasure quarters in Edo period Japan, and reminding us that these prints were part of a larger system of consumption and exchange, not unlike the world of fashion today. By appreciating the material and the making, we recognize the full significance of works like this, and expand our sense of what art history can be.