Russisch stel 1861

This print, by Utagawa Yoshiiku, was made using woodblocks, a technique known as Ukiyo-e. The process involves carving a design into wood, applying ink to the raised surfaces, and then pressing paper onto the block to create an image. The flat planes of color and bold outlines, typical of Ukiyo-e, lend the print a distinctive graphic quality. The layering of colors gives depth and dimension to the figures, showing a Russian couple in Western-style clothing. The woman holds a mirror, perhaps a comment on the perception, and consumption, of Western culture in Japan at the time. The level of detail suggests the skill and labor that goes into carving the woodblocks, and the way in which the prints were made. By considering its making, we can appreciate this print not just as a picture, but as an object deeply embedded in its time and place.