Act II c. 1806

Katsushika Hokusai made this print, Act II, in the 18th century, using woodblock printing. This artwork, like many Japanese prints, was made with a division of labor. Hokusai would have designed the image, which was then carved into woodblocks by skilled artisans, and printed by others. Consider the labor involved: the careful carving of the wood, the mixing of inks, and the precise printing process. Each color requires a separate block, demanding careful registration. Look closely, and you can see the subtle variations in tone, and the way the ink sits on the paper. The lines are crisp and clean, but also full of life. The flat planes of color create a sense of depth and space, drawing you into the scene. Think about how the making of the artwork is tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Woodblock prints were produced for a mass market. Appreciating the materiality and making of the print allows us to consider how Hokusai was blurring the lines between high art and popular culture.