Twilight 1928

Yamakawa Shuho made this print, Twilight, sometime between 1898 and 1944, but the date isn’t known for sure. I love how the artist uses the woodblock printing process to make the color so flat, which in turn makes the image pop out at you. What really grabs me about this piece is how the solid blue of the fan contrasts with the delicate pattern on the woman’s kimono. Look closely, and you’ll see that the fan is ever so slightly blurred towards the edge, creating a sense of movement, as if she’s just raised it to cool herself. All those fine lines on the kimono create a dazzling visual texture. The artist really balances simplicity and complexity here. You can see that directness in other artists, like Utamaro for example. There is a conversation happening across decades of art history, with artists building upon each other's ideas. It’s that give and take, that evolution of form, that keeps art alive.