Drogende kaki vruchten 1880 - 1890

This print of dried persimmons was made by Shibata Zeshin, a 19th-century Japanese artist renowned for his innovative approach to lacquer techniques. The image is not simply painted but built up from multiple layers of woodblock printing, a craft tradition demanding exacting registration and a deep understanding of ink behavior on paper. You can see the subtle variations in tone that create depth and volume. Zeshin would have likely collaborated with skilled artisans, exemplifying a system of labor where the artist designs and specialists execute. The persimmons themselves are rendered with a tactile quality; the artist’s skilled craftsmanship brings attention to their inherent characteristics of texture, weight and form. This elevation of everyday objects, and the labor-intensive process involved in creating this print, blurs the lines between fine art and craft.