Busteportret van de courtisane Kisegawa uit het Matsubaya huis. 1795 - 1800

Curator: Look at the dreamy stillness captured in this bust portrait, Busteportret van de courtisane Kisegawa uit het Matsubaya huis. This woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro was created between 1795 and 1800. Editor: She’s captivating. The whole composition glows with this sort of wistful aura. I feel like she’s staring into some unknown, gorgeous future, doesn't it seem so? Curator: It's evocative, certainly. Utamaro's works often focused on the beauties of the pleasure districts, but through their carefully constructed public image. This particular piece is displayed at the Rijksmuseum, reflecting a growing appreciation for ukiyo-e in Western collections. Editor: Yes, the Western Gaze—I bet she’d find that absurd. Back then, prints like these were probably more disposable, part of a lively, messy culture that circulated outside the museum’s white walls. Now she’s on display! It’s an incredible story that the museum gets to tell now. Curator: Precisely. The print exemplifies the refined style Utamaro cultivated, characterized by its delicate lines, subtle gradations of color in the woodblock printing, and a strong emphasis on capturing the individual character of his subjects. The almost ethereal beauty standard, really put its own spin on reality, you know? Editor: It almost feels hyperreal, that serene expression paired with the elaborate hairstyle and all those perfectly placed hair sticks. She’s constructed, undeniably, yet you sense this underlying intelligence that isn't always offered to women. She contains multitudes! I also love how flat the image is. This feels very contemporary, visually speaking. Curator: What a complex relationship we have with images of women and power. Thank you, I'll certainly look at it again through your inspired vision. Editor: It's been my sincere pleasure to look at this piece again through your expertise too. The magic is never really gone from art, is it?