Goldfish 1877 - 1897

Editor: So, this is "Goldfish," a watercolor by Watanabe Seitei, dating from between 1877 and 1897. I find its delicate nature incredibly peaceful. What can you tell me about the materiality and context surrounding its production? Curator: A pertinent question. The ethereal quality you observe is no accident, it stems directly from the chosen medium – watercolor on silk – itself a significant economic consideration at the time. Let's consider the means of production. The preparation of the silk support, the sourcing of pigments, even the brush manufacture, all point to an artistic process steeped in a material reality. Editor: Material reality? How so? Curator: Well, consider who had access to these materials. The finest silk wasn't readily available to all. Watercolor paints, while more accessible than some other media, still represented a financial investment. Seitei's choice and expert handling of these specific materials reveals a consciousness about the artwork as both an object of beauty *and* a commodity. Do you see how the *craft* here elevates everyday subject matter? Editor: I do. I was focused on the delicacy and artistry, but you are pointing to something beyond the surface; it's also about class and consumption. So, these materials communicate not only Seitei's skill but also speak to his position within society? Curator: Precisely! Moreover, works like these fed into a market for Japonaiserie, driven by Western consumers eager to acquire exotic and aesthetic objects. Therefore, the goldfish motif, seemingly simple, takes on an added layer of complexity when we acknowledge its circulation as a commodity in a global art market. Editor: That really changes how I see the artwork. Thanks. Curator: It is always rewarding to reconsider how we approach art!