Acteur als boogschutter 1847

Editor: Here we have "Actor as Archer," a woodblock print created by Utagawa Kunisada in 1847, now at the Rijksmuseum. I'm struck by the detail in the clothing, but I'm also curious about the context of portraying an actor rather than a warrior. What are your thoughts on this print? Curator: The depiction of the actor and his elaborate costume interests me here. Consider the paper and wood used in the production process of this ukiyo-e print. Each impression, crafted from carved woodblocks, made art accessible. These were not precious paintings but commercial objects circulated within a specific market. How does the material's mass production and consumption shift our understanding of "art" and its social role at the time? Editor: That’s a fascinating perspective! So, the value isn’t necessarily in the singular image, but in the process of its making and distribution? I never thought about that aspect. What would the effect have been of producing multiples on consumer culture? Curator: Exactly! And notice the labour embedded in this seemingly simple print. Think about the artisans needed for each step, from design and wood carving to printing, to create items such as this that reflected societal desires. Would you say that it challenges the notion of individual artistic genius? Editor: It really does. It emphasizes a collaborative effort tied to consumerism. Instead of a lone genius, we see a system of labour catering to the demands of entertainment and popular trends. It opens my mind to reconsidering how artistic value is attributed. Thank you for opening my eyes! Curator: And thank you! Examining the material conditions behind art offers fresh ways to interpret and appreciate art.