Picture Book of the Evergreens 1731

Curator: This is "Picture Book of the Evergreens," created around 1731 by Nishikawa Sukenobu. It's a Japanese woodcut print in ink on paper, an example of Ukiyo-e. Editor: It’s fascinating. I’m struck by the detail achieved through the woodcut technique, particularly in the clothing and interior spaces depicted. What’s your interpretation of this work, considering the medium and its cultural context? Curator: Consider the labor involved in creating such a print. Every line, every shade, painstakingly carved into wood. How does this impact our understanding of artistic value versus mere craft? It was initially made as luxury objects of material culture, bought by and traded amongst, consumers. Now, how does the status of "high art" and it's monetary evaluation, apply today, in your view? Editor: That's interesting, I see how its value shifts through time as art and as a product for mass distribution, the commercial component almost seems to be equally important as its status as fine art, even more than its depiction of scenes from everyday life or classic tales. But do we know much about the lives of artisans such as Nishikawa Sukenobu and the other contributors involved in this material, such as its production team and it's printers, as we examine its historical reception? Curator: Precisely! And that points to the inherent complexities in valuing not only the art object but also the skilled labor necessary for it’s creation and consumption, and dissemination among a specific community, who assigned it this high status. How does recognizing these circumstances surrounding labor and value modify your initial ideas? Editor: I see now that acknowledging the socio-economic circumstances is key to gaining better insight into its creation, readership, and enduring relevance and, ultimately, helps me understand the real social contexts from where the work arose. Curator: Agreed! Thinking about art through a materialist lens gives it new life.