Busteportret van een acteur 1847 - 1848

Editor: Here we have Utagawa Kunisada's "Bust Portrait of an Actor," made around 1847-1848. It’s a woodblock print, a classic ukiyo-e piece, and it really strikes me how much detail is packed into this relatively small work. What’s your take on it? Curator: This print offers insight into the material culture of Japanese theater. The production process, the carving of the blocks, the registration of colors – all this speaks to a highly developed system of artisanal labor. Think about the wood itself, the inks, and the paper used; where did those materials come from? How does this specific materiality affect its cultural value? Editor: That’s interesting! I was just focusing on the actor’s expression and the details of his costume, but I see what you mean about the materiality. Curator: Exactly. Even the way the print would have been sold and consumed is telling. Ukiyo-e prints were not necessarily viewed as high art initially but rather as a popular commodity affordable to the masses. How does that affect our perception of its worth? Editor: So, thinking about the woodblock printing process itself changes the way we understand the art. I’m seeing this artwork in a completely new light, now. Curator: Consider, too, the role of the publisher and distributors of the artwork: it brings the materiality to the system of labour and economy surrounding the artwork itself, its circulation. Now how might you describe this relationship within the Ukiyo-e context? Editor: That’s a great point; considering the historical manufacturing of this print and how it ended up in a museum collection adds new and interesting dimensions to how we see this actor's portrait. Thanks for sharing that! Curator: My pleasure. Thinking about art in terms of materials and process always brings new depth.