Three Seated Ladies with Lanterns 

Kitagawa Utamaro created this woodblock print, Three Seated Ladies with Lanterns. Woodblock printing, or *ukiyo-e*, involves carving a design into a block of wood, inking it, and pressing it onto paper. Utamaro masterfully utilized the grain of the wood to create subtle textures, like the delicate patterns on the women's kimonos. The flat, bold colors are achieved by carefully applying layers of ink to different sections of the woodblock. Notice the precision and skill required to align each color perfectly, especially in the intricate details of the lanterns and the checkered screen. The *ukiyo-e* tradition was deeply tied to the rise of a merchant class and a culture of consumption. These prints were affordable, mass-produced artworks, reflecting popular taste, and enabled a wider audience to enjoy art. By focusing on the everyday lives of women, Utamaro blurred the lines between fine art and popular culture.