A Flower Arrangement 1868 - 1912

Katsushika Hokusai made this print, A Flower Arrangement, from woodblocks, sometime before his death in 1849. Woodblock printing demanded collaboration between the artist, block carver, and printer, each a specialist. Japanese woodblock prints such as this one were made by applying water-based inks to a series of carved wooden blocks, then pressing them onto paper. Registration, the precise alignment of each block, was key to a good result. The lines are sharp and flat, reflecting the process, but the colors are soft and translucent. Hokusai was a master of this craft, using it to produce images that were both beautiful and accessible, for a broad public audience. The print depicts a still life of flowers and objects, arranged in a traditional Japanese style. The care taken to render each object reflects the social importance of gift-giving. The printmaking process, therefore, isn't just a means of reproduction, but a cultural technique, deeply embedded in everyday life. The amount of work involved in the production process and the collaboration between specialists highlights the blurring of boundaries between art and craft.