Het is goed om je nagels te knippen c. 1822

This print, Het is goed om je nagels te knippen, was made by Totoya Hokkei in Japan, sometime between the late 18th and early 19th century. It’s a woodblock print, meaning that the design was carved into a block of wood, inked, and then pressed onto paper. Consider the incredible labor involved in this process, requiring a mastery of carving techniques. Notice how the lines create a sense of form and texture. The print depicts a woman cutting her nails, a seemingly mundane act. However, the care and artistry with which it's rendered elevates the everyday. Woodblock printing was not just a commercial technique; it was deeply embedded in Japanese culture, tied to traditions of calligraphy, painting, and literature. This artwork exemplifies how materials and making processes infuse cultural significance into the work, transcending conventional distinctions between art and craft.