The Adonis plant 1815

This print, entitled "The Adonis Plant" was created by Katsushika Hokusai using woodblock printing, a technique known as "ukiyo-e," or "pictures of the floating world." The flat expanses of color and bold outlines you see were achieved by carving an image into a block of wood, inking it, and then pressing paper against it to transfer the image. This process demanded the collaboration of skilled artisans: the artist, the block cutter, and the printer, each with their own specific techniques and expertise. Although ukiyo-e prints were widely circulated in Japan, they were also exported to the West, where they profoundly influenced the development of modern art and design. Artists such as Degas and Van Gogh were fascinated by the graphic style, bold compositions, and intimate portrayal of everyday life. Consider the labor and materials involved in creating this image, and how it challenges the traditional distinction between fine art and craft.