Gevecht in de sneeuw 1833 - 1834

This woodblock print, "Gevecht in de sneeuw", was made by Shunbaisai Hokuei in Japan. Hokuei created this print using multiple blocks of wood, each inked with a different color. These blocks allowed for the layering of hues and creation of intricate patterns, characteristic of ukiyo-e prints. The process behind this print reflects the commercial environment in which Hokuei worked, as these prints were produced for a broad urban audience. The artist's labor was part of a larger system of production, involving block cutters and printers. In the image, we can appreciate the materiality of paper, ink, and wood, combined to depict the brutality of conflict amid the quiet fall of snow. The flat expanses of color, gradations, and precisely incised lines convey a sense of drama and tension. The social context is also evident in the subject matter, where we can see the world of warriors, rendered as a consumable commodity, showing the intersection of artistic skill, commercial production, and cultural consumption.