De elegante prins Genji te Suma 1853

Editor: This is "The Elegant Prince Genji at Suma," a woodblock print made around 1853 by Utagawa Hiroshige. It’s such a peaceful scene. The soft colors and the triptych format create this sense of gentle unfolding. What jumps out to you in this piece? Curator: The material reality of ukiyo-e is really interesting here. Think about the labor involved in each print: the artist, the block carver, the printer... Each plays a role in shaping this image, this *commodity*. The multiple blocks required for each colour also implies a collaborative process, a workshop of artisans. Consider also, what kind of consumer would purchase such an item? Editor: So, the creation process itself reflects a sort of social ecosystem, almost like a small factory churning out these scenes for the masses? Curator: Exactly! These prints weren't unique "high art" objects in the traditional sense. They were consumer goods, reflecting the tastes and desires of a growing urban population. How does seeing the print in this light shift your perspective? Editor: I guess it makes me consider the 'elegance' in the title differently. Is it about the subject matter, or about the skill and technique employed to meet consumer demand? It’s fascinating to think about how mass production impacts our perception of artistry. Curator: And how does the commodification of landscape imagery influence ideas about nature and leisure? Did these prints shape or reflect contemporary attitudes? Editor: I never thought about ukiyo-e prints in this way. I’ll definitely be researching more about the workshops and economy surrounding their production! Curator: It really helps us move beyond simply admiring their aesthetic beauty, and to appreciate the social and economic forces that brought them into being.