FAN PRINTS c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Ippitsusai Bunchō's *Fan Prints*, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. I’m immediately drawn to the materiality of the print and how the fan shape dictates the composition. What stands out to you about its production? Curator: I'm interested in how the printmaking process democratizes art. Consider the labor involved: carving the woodblocks, applying the ink, pressing the image. How does the potential for mass production influence our understanding of value and originality here? Editor: So, it's less about the artist's individual genius, and more about the collaborative process and accessibility? I hadn't thought of it that way. Thanks! Curator: Exactly! Considering the labor involved transforms the piece, doesn’t it?