One of Six Impressions from Worn Old Blocks
Medium
Monochrome woodblock print; ink on paper
Dimensions
Overall: 9 13/16 x 13 7/16 in. (24.9 x 34.1 cm)
Classification
Prints
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Accession Number
JP1842
Tags
Art Historical Context
Discover the subtle artistry of *One of Six Impressions Worn Old Blocks*, monochrome woodblock print from Edo period (16151868). Created by an unidentified artist, this ink-on-paper work captures figures of men and women in style typical of the era's vibrant print culture. The Edo period marked a flourishing of ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world," where woodblock prints democratized art, making it accessible beyond elite circles through affordable production. The title hints at an experimental charm: pulled from well-used blocks, these impressions reveal the textures and imperfection...