Yaoya Oshichi kijkend naar haar slapende geliefde 1846

This woodblock print, now at the Rijksmuseum, was created by Utagawa Hiroshige in the 19th century. The print depicts a scene dominated by cool blues and greys, punctuated by the warm tones of the woman’s kimono. The composition is structured by a series of rectangles. The tension lies in the juxtaposition of flat, patterned surfaces with subtle gradations of tone, creating depth and volume. Hiroshige's mastery lies in his ability to negotiate between surface and depth, flatness and volume. The stylized representation of the figure and the surrounding objects encourages us to consider the print not merely as a depiction of reality but as a constructed image, one that engages with traditional codes of representation while simultaneously pushing against them. This negotiation embodies the spirit of an art form constantly reinventing itself.