Beauty and Morning Glories n.d.

Suzuki Harunobu created this woodblock print, Beauty and Morning Glories, using multiple blocks, each carrying a different color. The labor-intensive ukiyo-e process involved carving a separate woodblock for each color, inking it, and then carefully aligning and pressing it onto paper. The key block, typically for the outline, was carved first. Then, a series of blocks were made to apply colors in layers. Harunobu was a master of this technique, renowned for his delicate lines and harmonious color schemes. These prints were made for a mass market. Publishers employed teams of artisans to produce numerous impressions, making art accessible to a broad audience. Woodblock prints like these played a crucial role in the commercialization of art, linking the creative process to a larger system of production and consumption. Paying attention to the way this print was made helps us understand its cultural significance. It’s a reminder that art is never made in isolation; rather, it is embedded within social contexts, labor practices, and systems of value.