Print 1750 - 1835

This color woodblock print was created by Ryūryūkyo Shinsai in Japan. The print shows a group of figures gathered around a central lantern, and it is the formal structure of this lantern that organizes the entire composition. Notice how Shinsai uses line and shape to define the lantern. The square shape of the paper screen is repeated in the frame around it and mirrored in the paper the figures are working on. These shapes create a sense of balance. The objects on the floor lead our eye to the figures in the background, a woman in blue and a folding screen behind her. Shinsai also makes use of empty space. The white space around the figures and objects creates a sense of lightness and airiness, while the flat planes of color add to the print's visual appeal. The print is a carefully constructed composition that invites us to explore the relationship between line, shape, and space.