New View of Yatsumi Bridge c. 19th century

Editor: This print, "New View of Yatsumi Bridge" by Utagawa Hiroshige, uses such beautiful colors and flat perspective. It makes me wonder, what can you tell us about the context of its production? Curator: I'm interested in how this print flattens the landscape, reducing it to layers of color and texture. Consider the woodblock printing process; each color a separate block carved and pressed. This labor-intensive process allowed for mass production and consumption of landscapes. Editor: So, you're saying the medium influenced how landscapes were perceived and consumed? Curator: Exactly. The very act of making these prints, and their affordability, democratized access to these views and influenced the popular imagination of Edo. How might this have affected the artist's role? Editor: I never thought about it that way. It's fascinating how the materials and process shaped both the art and the audience's experience.