Geisha en haar geliefde 1799

This print, by Kitagawa Utamaro, was made in Japan using woodblock printing, a technique known as *ukiyo-e*. Its flat planes of color and delicate lines result from a labor-intensive process: each color you see required a separate block, carefully carved and then printed in precise registration with the others. The *ukiyo-e* tradition was closely tied to the rise of a merchant class in Japan, catering to their tastes with images of pleasure and entertainment. Utamaro elevated the genre with his focus on individual expression and the intimate details of everyday life. The soft textures and subtle gradations of color speak to the skill of the artisans involved, their work often unacknowledged in favor of the artist's signature. So, the next time you look at an *ukiyo-e* print, remember to appreciate not just the artist's vision, but also the collaborative labor and the complex social context that made it possible.