Macaw on Pine Branch by Utagawa Hiroshige

Macaw on Pine Branch 1847 - 1848

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Artwork details

Medium
print, ink, woodblock-print
Dimensions
13 5/8 × 4 1/2 in. (34.6 × 11.4 cm) (image, aitanzaku)
Location
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Copyright
Public Domain

Tags

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print

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asian-art

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bird

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ukiyo-e

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personal sketchbook

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ink

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woodblock-print

About this artwork

Utagawa Hiroshige crafted "Macaw on Pine Branch" using woodblock printing, a technique integral to the expansion of artistic expression during his time. Woodblock prints like this one, were not produced by a single artist, but through collaborative labor. Hiroshige, as the designer, would have worked closely with woodcutters who would carve the design into separate woodblocks, one for each color. These blocks were then meticulously inked and pressed onto paper by printers to create the final image. The success of woodblock printing in Japan was intertwined with consumer culture. Woodblock prints democratized art, making it more accessible to a broader audience. This print offers a glimpse into the skilled traditions of Japanese printmaking, reflecting both artistic ingenuity and the socio-economic dynamics of its time. Appreciating the material processes and social context unlocks a more complete understanding of its meaning.

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