Veerboot op de rivier de Sumida 1785 - 1789

This triptych, made by Torii Kiyonaga, shows us a scene on the Sumida River rendered in ink and colors on woodblock prints. Woodblock printing is a demanding craft, requiring a skilled artisan to carve the image into a block, often cherry wood, with different blocks being used to apply individual colors. Notice how the ink defines the figures and their elaborate kimono, the texture of the water, and the details of the distant landscape. Each line, each subtle gradation of color, required precise carving and printing, reflecting the division of labor and the expertise involved in creating these prints. The materiality of the woodblock is not immediately visible, yet it determined the final appearance of the image. Such prints were not considered "high art," but a popular commodity made for a growing urban audience. Kiyonaga's images were part of a broader system of production and consumption, depicting fashionable life, and reflecting the social and economic changes of his time. Looking at "Veerboot op de rivier de Sumida" through this lens, we gain a deeper appreciation of its meaning and cultural significance.