No. 16, from the series Magic Lantern Slides of That Romantic Purple Figure (Sono sugata yukari no utsushi-e) c. 1847 - 1855

Editor: Here we have Utagawa Kunisada’s “No. 16, from the series Magic Lantern Slides of That Romantic Purple Figure.” I’m really drawn to the composition and the somewhat melancholic mood it evokes. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This work offers a glimpse into the lives of women in 19th-century Japan, but also raises questions about the gaze. Who is the "Romantic Purple Figure" and who is allowed to see them? The magic lantern becomes a metaphor for both enlightenment and potential exploitation, no? How does the artist play with those tensions? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the power dynamics at play. Curator: Precisely. Kunisada invites us to consider the complexities of viewing, particularly in relation to gender and representation. It makes you think about who holds the power in this scenario. Editor: It really does change the way I see the artwork. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It is crucial to keep asking these questions.