A Snowy Day 1901

Helen Hyde created this woodblock print, A Snowy Day, using traditional Japanese techniques. Her engagement with ‘Ukiyo-e,’ or ‘pictures of the floating world’ reflects a fascination with Japanese art. The labor-intensive process began with a drawing, which Hyde then transferred onto a cherry wood block. Using specialized tools, she carved away the negative space, leaving the lines of the design in relief. Ink was then applied to the block's surface, and paper laid on top before being burnished to transfer the image. The subtle gradations of tone and color suggest multiple blocks were used, each with a different color applied. Hyde's choice of woodblock printing, a craft deeply embedded in Japanese culture, acknowledges the skill involved in producing this kind of print. By embracing this process, Hyde blurred the lines between Western and Eastern artistic traditions, as well as between fine art and craft. In doing so, it prompts us to consider the value and cultural significance of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork.