(Beach seen through rocks) c. 1830 - 1844

Okamoto Toyohiko made this print of a beach scene through rocks sometime before his death in 1845. Note the inscription to the left of the image which indicates it was part of a collaborative project. This work comes out of a very particular moment in the institutional history of Japanese art. In the 18th and 19th centuries, artists in Japan were increasingly engaging with broader publics, and were supported by arts patronage. Woodblock prints in particular became a popular medium, which allowed artists to make inexpensive works of art that could circulate widely. This print reflects the culture of collaboration and patronage that was developing at the time. We know this because of the inscription which names different people involved in its creation. By studying these inscriptions, and the historical context in which the print was made, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and economic structures that shaped the art world of 19th century Japan.