Three Great Wise Men of the Han Dynasty 19th century

Curator: This striking woodblock print is attributed to Yashima Gakutei, created in the 19th century. It’s titled "Three Great Wise Men of the Han Dynasty" and we are fortunate to have it here at the Met. What strikes you about it? Editor: Hmm... Immediately, the overall delicacy, a kind of gossamer feel. And there’s something almost comical in the men’s expressions, as though they’re sharing some delightful secret in their ancient scholarly way. Curator: Indeed. Gakutei, working in the ukiyo-e tradition, was adept at manipulating line and color within the print medium. Note how the varied line widths create both definition and flatness, characteristic of the medium's printing process, while also cleverly depicting three-dimensionality. Editor: It's almost dreamlike! Like wandering into a faded memory of grandeur and wisdom, don't you think? I feel pulled into their silent discourse, eager to decode the whispers. The floral background almost acts as its own entity and sets an interesting playful stage with a combination of ink and colors that offer an alternate dialogue from the one occurring with the central subjects in the piece. Curator: Precisely. Consider the materiality too. We are looking at ink and colours layered through woodblock printing; multiple blocks, multiple hands potentially involved. It isn’t simply the vision of a singular "artist genius" but a process-oriented craft reflecting collective labor. Note also, it’s from the Edo period where printed materials themselves become objects of consumption and circulation among diverse audiences. Editor: Absolutely! I wonder about the stories they’re holding, those three wise men. And in that regard, and it speaks volumes on their era and knowledge about different parts of Japanese history. I find them immensely captivating, this little moment caught in time. Curator: Well said!