Japanese Woodblock Prints at a Glance
The world of Japanese woodblock prints is captivating and fascinating– filled to the brim with breathtaking landscapes, beautiful women, legendary heroes and more. It’s no wonder why the art form has swelled in popularity, being the first form of mass-produced art and massively impacting the western art we know and love today.
With so much history, subjects, and reproduction, it helps to have a degree of insider knowledge and some general collecting intellect. We reached out to Ronin Gallery, the leading Japanese and East Asian art Gallery in New York City and home to the largest collection of Japanese prints in the United States, to give us a few tips and highlights on Japanese woodblock prints. That way, we’re not all completely lost on the subject.
Woodblock Prints at a Glance
- The History
Ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world,” refers to a genre of paintings and woodblock prints produced in the Japan Edo period (1603 – 1868), a time of unprecedented peace after centuries of feudal war, saw the rise of a prosperous urban middle-class. They reveled in a hedonistic realm of pleasure, centered around the kabuki theaters and brothel district of Edo. Woodblock prints captured the opulent and sensual subjects of this “floating world,” from handsome actors in favorite roles to beautiful courtesans donning the latest fashion trends. Fascinated by the refined printing techniques and alluring subject matter, generations of visionary artists, Georgia O’Keefe, Picasso and Frank Lloyd Wright, have avidly collected Japanese woodblock prints.
- The Importance of Print Condition
When assessing the value of a print, very fine color, early impression and state are ideal. However, as this art is centuries old, it is rare to find a print in perfect state. Every work has its own story of how it survived the ages, passed down and cherished through multiple generations. In some cases, depreciatory aspects might have preserved other favorable attributes of the print. For example, a margin might have been trimmed to remove a brittle edge, preserving the overall integrity of the print, or backing paper might have been applied to support a thinning area
- The Spark of Interest for Japanese Art
Ukiyo-e has always been collected. The dynamic composition and vibrant characters of the floating world inspired western artists such as Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh and Monet. Even the Japanese arts trending today, such as manga and irezumi tattoo, have roots in the Japanese print tradition.
Ronin Gallery Tips to Woodblock Prints
WHO?
There is a value to each woodblock print. In today’s market, Hokusai, Hiroshige, Utamaro, Kuniyoshi, and Yoshitoshi are the most highly collected ukiyo-e artists.
WHAT?
The Japanese woodblock print encompasses a wide range of subject matter, from intimate scenes of geisha entertaining their guests, to legendary heroes in battle, to strikingly beautiful landscapes mastered by artists such as Hokusai and Hiroshige.
WHEN?
The term ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world,” refers to a genre of paintings and woodblock prints produced in Japan between the 17th – 19th century.
WHERE?
Start by checking out the Ronin Gallery website, there’s an eduction section there where you can learn more about the woodblock print process and artist.
WHY?
The most important thing about any work of art is how you feel about it. For first-time collectors, we always recommend finding a piece that speaks to you. Whether it’s a $100 print or a $10,000 print that catches your eye, go for it.
All photos were provided by the Ronin Gallery. To keep up with them, follow their Instagram account and be sure to visit their website.
