Act I Possibly 1806

Katsushika Hokusai made this print, ‘Act I’, with ink and color on paper. This is a woodblock print, a medium closely tied to the rise of a consumer culture in Japan during the Edo period. The process starts with a drawing, then a skilled block carver translates this into a series of woodblocks, one for each color. Finally, a printer uses these blocks to apply layers of pigment to paper, building up the image. The flat planes of color and bold outlines are characteristic of the medium. But look closer, and you'll see the subtle variations in tone and texture, achieved by the pressure of the printer’s hand. The division of labor inherent in woodblock printing – artist, carver, printer – mirrors the increasingly specialized nature of work in a market economy. Yet, the incredible skill and artistry involved in each stage elevate the process beyond mere industrial production. Woodblock prints like this one blurred the lines between art, craft, and commodity.