Print 1786 - 1854

Editor: Here we have Utagawa Kunisada's "Print," created sometime between 1786 and 1854. It's a woodblock print, and I'm struck by the geometric pattern of the kimono against the fluidity of the water and the organic shapes of the trees. It creates such an interesting tension. What compositional elements stand out to you in this work? Curator: The interplay of the grid formed by the kimono against the asymmetry of the landscape is, indeed, notable. But have you considered how the flatness of the picture plane, a characteristic of ukiyo-e, is also integral to its structure? The limited color palette reinforces this flatness, guiding the eye to consider form and line rather than depth or recession. Editor: That's a good point; I was so focused on the juxtaposition of patterns that I missed the impact of the color! Curator: Exactly. Observe how the artist uses color to define spatial relationships—or rather, the lack thereof. The composition hinges on the delicate balance between these artificial constructs, challenging our conventional perception of space. Semiotically, each line, each block of color acts as a signifier, participating in a network of meanings dictated by their spatial relation to one another, not their imitative fidelity to the objective world. How do you feel the scale influences your understanding? Editor: The scale almost flattens it more for me, since it feels less imposing than it could, and I think lets the art exist in its separate forms as line, color and composition. I see more what you mean, now. I was wondering if my impression was off! Curator: Perceptions vary; what appears small to some can seem boundless to others. It is vital to grasp that an art work's signification lies not solely in what is represented but equally in the manner of its representation and what you are as a viewer when encountering art in itself. It seems we’ve come to an interesting, deeper awareness through our observations. Editor: Yes, I think so too, looking at the use of color and scale together has really transformed how I look at this print.