Hoofdstuk 2 1847 - 1850

Utagawa Kunisada created this woodblock print, sometime before 1865. Look closely, and you’ll notice the incredible nuance achieved with this relatively simple medium. Woodblock printing is a relief process. The artist carves away the negative space around an image, leaving a raised surface to receive ink. The block is then pressed onto paper, transferring the design. This process is repeated for each color, demanding meticulous registration. Kunisada was a master of ukiyo-e, the Japanese woodblock printing tradition that flourished during the Edo period, and the commercial success of these prints relied on division of labor. Each print required the coordinated efforts of designers, carvers, printers, and publishers. By focusing on materials and making, we gain a deeper appreciation for Kunisada’s artistry. The inherent qualities of the wood, the precision of the carving, and the layering of colors all contribute to the print’s unique aesthetic. Woodblock prints like this one weren’t considered ‘high art’ at the time, but were nonetheless born of incredible craft.