Three ladies and two small attendants c. 18th century

Editor: This print, titled "Three ladies and two small attendants," is by Katsukawa Shunchō. I'm struck by the patterns in the kimonos, but also the lanterns and how they frame the figures. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Notice how the production of this ukiyo-e print involved multiple artisans: the artist, the woodblock carver, and the printer. Consider the labor involved in creating these intricate designs and multiple color layers. How does that affect our understanding of its value? Editor: So, it's not just about the artist's vision but also the skill of the craftspeople who made it possible? Curator: Precisely. The materials and processes themselves were crucial. The consumption of such prints also reveals social dynamics of the time. I hadn't quite considered the collaborative aspect so directly. Editor: I'll definitely look at ukiyo-e prints differently now!