Beauties on Verandah Admiring Iris Pond 

Curator: This is Katsukawa Shunko’s “Beauties on Verandah Admiring Iris Pond,” a Japanese woodblock print now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s so serene, almost dreamlike. The soft colors and the languid poses of the women create a feeling of peaceful contemplation. Curator: Indeed. Woodblock prints like this were integral to the floating world, a space where pleasure and aesthetics were elevated, often tied to the lives of courtesans and the theatre. Editor: So, it’s more than just a pretty scene. These women, in their kimonos, are deliberately placed within a socio-economic context, participating in a form of visual display and performance. Curator: Precisely. Their attire, the setting—all contribute to a nuanced understanding of gender, class, and the social gaze within the cultural landscape of the time. Editor: Looking at it that way adds layers to its impact. It’s not just an image of beauty; it's a statement about the role of women in shaping the world.