Hamamatsu c. 1832 - 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige made this print, Hamamatsu, using woodblock printing techniques, sometime before his death in 1858. The process involves carving a design into a block of wood, applying ink to the raised surfaces, and then pressing paper onto the block to transfer the image. The material quality of the woodblock print lends itself to flat planes of color and bold outlines. Look closely and you can see the texture of the wood grain. The act of carving the wood requires patience and precision, skills honed through years of practice. Woodblock printing was not only a technique, but also a means of mass production, making art accessible to a wider audience. In the context of 19th-century Japan, this print reflects the intersection of art, craft, and commerce. It invites us to consider the social and cultural significance of the materials and processes used in its creation, blurring the lines between fine art and everyday life.