A Child of the People 1901

Helen Hyde made this color woodcut, “A Child of the People,” during her time in Japan. Hyde was an American artist who chose to live and work in Japan at a time when many Western artists were drawn to Japanese aesthetics and techniques. This print reflects that interest. It depicts a Japanese woman, likely from a working-class background, engaging in the everyday activity of batting a shuttlecock. Hyde's work offers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in Japan. She pays careful attention to the woman's clothing and accessories, providing insight into the material culture and social customs of the time. In this context, the choice of subject is especially important. Hyde was particularly interested in representing women and children in her art. The way Hyde portrays her subject serves to both document and interpret cultural practices through the lens of an outsider.