Portrait of a Chamorro Woman - Orange 1934

This is 'Portrait of a Chamorro Woman – Orange' by Paul Jacoulet, a woodblock print. It appears to be an example of the shin-hanga, or 'new print' movement. The shin-hanga style revitalized traditional ukiyo-e printmaking from the Edo and Meiji periods, which was in decline. This revival involved a collaborative production process. An artist would create the initial design, which would then be carved into woodblocks by artisans, and finally printed by skilled printers. The soft, muted colors suggest natural dyes were carefully applied to the paper, building up layers of tone and texture. The entire endeavor required tremendous labor and a deep knowledge of materials. The shin-hanga movement often depicted idealized portraits of women, landscapes, and scenes from everyday life. The focus on craft and collaboration elevated printmaking to a respected art form, and it is important to consider both design and fabrication when admiring this kind of work.