Iwai Kiyotaro as a Woman Standing under a Plum Tree 1778 - 1798

Editor: Here we have Katsukawa Shunko’s print, "Iwai Kiyotaro as a Woman Standing under a Plum Tree,” created sometime between 1778 and 1798. It has an undeniable sense of elegance about it. What catches your eye? Curator: I’m drawn to the materiality. It’s a woodblock print, ukiyo-e. Each line, each colour was carefully carved and printed, likely by skilled artisans labouring in workshops under the artist’s direction. Think of the specialized craft and the social structure required for this production! What was the value of labor in the print market then? Editor: That’s fascinating; I never really thought about the labor involved beyond the artist themselves. Was the kind of paper used significant, too? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the paper’s fiber, its texture, how it absorbs the ink. Was it locally sourced, influencing the cost and accessibility of prints? Furthermore, the pigments used-- were they derived from rare minerals, dictating the expense of specific colors and influencing the final market price, hence shaping its consumption? Editor: It really makes you appreciate how much went into this one seemingly simple image. How does focusing on materials shift our understanding of this print? Curator: By centering materials, we go beyond the aesthetic and enter a dialogue about economy, labor and the socio-cultural status it acquired within that period. Appreciating its manufacturing process reveals a web of economic and social relations far broader than simply appreciating its beauty. What new interpretations emerge from such contextual understanding? Editor: I now view it less as a solitary artwork and more as a product deeply embedded in its time. I will look at art with different eyes now! Thank you! Curator: My pleasure!