BEGONIA BLOSSOMS AND A DRAGONFLY c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have "Begonia Blossoms and a Dragonfly" by Utagawa Hiroshige. It's a lovely print, and I'm curious about the process. What can you tell me about the making of this piece? Curator: Consider the woodblock prints of Hiroshige's time. The division of labor was extensive: the artist, the block carver, the printer, and the publisher. Each played a crucial role in the commodification of art. Editor: So, the final piece is really a collaborative effort? Curator: Precisely. The materiality of the wood, the inks used, and the paper itself all contribute to the final product. What do those elements suggest to you? Editor: That art isn’t just about the artist's intention, but also the materials and the society that produced it. Curator: Indeed. It’s a fascinating intersection of labor, material, and cultural context.