Peasants in autumn 

Katsushika Hokusai’s woodblock print, Peasants in Autumn, now in the Guimet Museum, shows us a highly stylized image of rural life. It invites us to consider the social conditions that shape artistic production. Made during the Edo period in Japan, the print depicts peasants engaged in harvesting crops. The scene is idyllic, yet it hints at the socio-economic realities of the time, which saw a rigid class structure with farmers at the bottom. The composition, with its careful arrangement of figures and landscape, speaks to the aesthetic values of the era, influenced by Zen Buddhism and a love for nature. Note the detailed rendering of the peasants' clothing and tools, reflecting a keen observation of daily life. This close attention to the life of ordinary people was relatively new in Japanese art. By studying prints like this, we can better understand the relationship between art, society, and the institutions that shape them. Through careful research and analysis, we can uncover the hidden meanings and social commentary embedded within these beautiful images.