Woman with Black Hood in Snow c. 1832

This image of a woman in the snow was made by Utagawa Kunisada using woodblock printing, a process integral to the visual culture of 19th century Japan. Kunisada was a master of ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world." The process begins with a drawing, which is then transferred to a woodblock and carved in relief. Each color requires a separate block, carefully aligned to create the final image. The paper, often made from the inner bark of the mulberry tree, had to be carefully dampened before printing. This particular print demonstrates the great skill of the artisans involved. Notice the subtle gradations of color, and crispness of line. Ukiyo-e prints like this one were commercial objects, produced for a wide audience. They remind us that even seemingly "flat" images can be deeply embedded in material practices, social life, and consumer culture.