Collected Manual of Paintings 1751

This is a page from the “Collected Manual of Paintings” made by Hanabusa Ippō in Japan. It's an example of woodblock printing, a technique with a long history tied to the rise of literacy and the distribution of knowledge. The process begins with a drawing, transferred to a block of wood, then carefully carved to leave the design in relief. Ink is applied, and paper pressed against the block to transfer the image. The quality of the print hinges on the precision and skill of the carver. Look closely, and you can see the texture and the grain of the wood in the final impression. Woodblock printing democratized image-making in Japan, making art accessible to a wider audience. The amount of work involved in the production process reflects a shift towards wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. It challenges the traditional distinctions we make between art and craft, emphasizing the importance of materials, making, and context in understanding the artwork's full meaning.