MANDARIN DUCKS AND BAMBOO c. 19th century

Editor: This is Utagawa Hiroshige's "Mandarin Ducks and Bamboo," created sometime before 1858, and currently at the Harvard Art Museums. The monochromatic palette gives it a sense of calm. What's your take on this piece? Curator: Notice how the woodblock printing process democratized art production in Japan. Consider the labor involved in carving those blocks and the accessibility of the final product. Editor: So, it's less about the individual artistry and more about the system that allowed its creation? Curator: Precisely. The materiality of the print and its means of distribution highlight a different kind of value than, say, a singular oil painting. Editor: I see. It challenges the idea of art as a precious, unique commodity. Curator: Absolutely!