Drie courtisanes c. 1814 - 1815

This triptych, ‘Three Courtesans’, was made by Utagawa Kunisada, using woodblock printmaking, a quintessential technique of the Edo period. Consider the materiality of this work. The paper support, the water-based inks, the careful carving of the blocks – all contribute to the aesthetic effect. The flat expanses of color and flowing lines capture the luxurious garments of the women and the surrounding floral motifs. Woodblock printing was not just a means of artistic expression; it was a commercial industry, involving the coordinated labor of artists, carvers, printers, and publishers. Kunisada was a prolific and successful artist, catering to the tastes of a broad urban audience. His prints were relatively inexpensive and widely accessible. This system of production and consumption highlights the intersection of art, commerce, and popular culture in 19th-century Japan. Woodblock prints offered a glimpse into the lives and fashions of the pleasure quarters, blurring the lines between art and everyday life.