De Hagi Tama rivier 1811 - 1814

Kikugawa Eizan created this woodblock print called 'De Hagi Tama rivier' using ink and color on paper. Woodblock printing is an age-old method, each color requiring a separate block, carefully carved and registered to layer the image. Here, the process dictates the aesthetic. The flat planes of color, the crisp outlines, and the graphic patterns are all direct results of this labor-intensive technique. Look closely, and you'll see subtle variations in the ink, a testament to the hand-printing process. The beauty of this piece lies not just in the image itself, but in the skilled labor required to produce it. Consider how such prints were consumed – as affordable multiples, widely distributed. This brings up interesting questions about value: is this “fine art” or a commodity? Ultimately, it is the intersection of materials, making, and social context that gives this artwork its full meaning, challenging the traditional divide between art and craft.