Woman Seated in Front of an Offering Stand 1834

This woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada depicts a woman seated before an offering stand, made with pigments on paper. This work belongs to the *ukiyo-e* tradition, which literally translates to “pictures of the floating world.” The printmaking process begins with a drawing, which is then carefully transferred onto a woodblock, usually cherry. The artist then carves away the unwanted areas, leaving the design in relief. Ink is applied to the block, and paper is pressed onto it to create the print. Since each color requires a separate block, the production of these prints demanded collaboration between the artist, block carver, and printer, requiring highly skilled labor. The *ukiyo-e* prints were commercial objects, reflective of the flourishing urban culture of the Edo period. These prints became available and affordable to a wider population due to the mechanized production and distribution. The aesthetics associated with their materials and process demonstrate a shift away from the traditional perception of art as one-of-a-kind and precious.