Bloemen- en vogelschetsen van Keibun- deel drie 1892

Matsumura Keibun made this woodblock print depicting birds in flight during the late Edo period. Woodblock printing, or ukiyo-e, was a complex, highly collaborative process. The artist first created a design, which was then transferred to a woodblock by specialist carvers. Separate blocks were required for each color, with printers carefully layering the impressions to create the final image. Here, the soft hues and delicate lines capture the birds in a serene landscape. But beyond its aesthetic appeal, this print also speaks to the rise of a commercial culture in Japan. Ukiyo-e prints were relatively affordable, making art accessible to a wider audience. The labor-intensive nature of woodblock printing also highlights the skilled craftsmanship involved in the production of these images. By appreciating both the artistry and the process, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and economic context in which this print was created, and how these elements blurred the boundaries between art and craft.