Venus 

Hideo Hagiwara made this print, Venus, using a technique called woodblock printing. The process involves carving a design into a block of wood, inking the surface, and then pressing it onto paper. The way Hagiwara has handled this process is crucial. Notice how he’s combined areas of dense hatching with the delicate lines of Venus herself. This shows an embrace of the printing process itself. The woodblock is not just a means to an end, but a creative force in its own right. Hagiwara was associated with the Sosaku-hanga movement, which championed the idea of the artist being involved in every step of the printmaking process, from carving the block to printing the final image. This approach elevated printmaking from a purely reproductive craft to a form of artistic expression. By focusing on materials and making, we can appreciate the artist's hand and intention, and resist traditional distinctions between art and craft.