A man is watching a beautiful woman 

This print, titled "A man is watching a beautiful woman," was made by Katsushika Hokusai, a Japanese artist who lived from 1760 to 1849. It's a woodblock print, a technique that involves carving an image into a block of wood, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. Woodblock printing was a labor-intensive process that required the skills of woodcarvers, printers, and publishers, all working collaboratively. Hokusai's designs are known for their dynamic compositions and attention to detail. Look closely, and you’ll notice that the lines are crisp and precise, creating a sense of depth and texture. The process allowed for the mass production of images, making art more accessible to a wider audience. Woodblock prints like this were not just aesthetic objects; they were also commodities produced within a complex system of labor and consumption. By attending to the making of this print, we gain a deeper appreciation for the social and economic forces that shaped its creation.