Two Women and a Maid, from the series "A Brocade of Eastern Manners (Fuzoku Azuma no nishiki)" c. 1783 - 1784

This print, Two Women and a Maid, from the series "A Brocade of Eastern Manners," was made by Torii Kiyonaga using woodblock printmaking, a painstaking process of carving, inking, and pressing. The image's visual qualities – precise lines and flat expanses of color – result directly from this labor-intensive method. Notice how the different blocks create an even surface, yet allow for intricate patterns and details. The brocade patterns on the women's kimonos and the maid's bag highlight the contemporary fashion of the era, suggesting a culture of luxury and consumption. The image celebrates the refined taste and style of its subjects. In a society defined by social hierarchies and the division of labor, prints like these were accessible to a broad audience. The commercial success of the ukiyo-e genre relied on the collaboration of artists, carvers, printers, and publishers. This artwork serves as a reminder that artistic expression is often intertwined with economic forces and collective effort.