Generaal Sasa Narimasa in een zware sneeuwstorm 1897

Curator: Before us we have "General Sasa Narimasa in a Heavy Snowstorm", a striking 1897 woodblock print by Yoshu Chikanobu currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Wow. The snow feels almost like daggers. So harsh. There’s a stark beauty in the way the artist captures that brutal winter landscape, don't you think? Curator: Absolutely. Chikanobu utilizes the ukiyo-e tradition here, yet imbues it with a late 19th-century sensibility. You can see it in the meticulous rendering of the samurai's armor and the horse's musculature. Note, also, the economical use of line to suggest a relentless blizzard. It really emphasizes the production values for mass consumption. Editor: He looks so determined. Or is it resignation? I almost feel like I can hear the wind howling through those mountains. I imagine the weight of his purpose mirrored by the sheer physical weight of the snow itself. The journey he must have undertaken... I wonder if his spirit will break. Curator: His journey is as much a product of artistic construction as historical reality. We can trace how printmakers like Chikanobu engaged with mythologized narratives to both celebrate and subtly critique traditional hierarchies, offering commentary on changing socio-political landscapes during the Meiji era through figuration. Editor: Do you think his coat is warm enough? It looks magnificent! It's quite easy to get lost in contemplation about the warrior himself and the artist behind this magnificent work of art! Curator: Precisely! The artistry and social commentary intertwined. This work is more than an illustration, it offers layers that can be peeled. Editor: I completely agree, that consideration of art as a multifaceted material and social production reveals so much. Curator: A good thing we wrapped this up: my fingers were getting cold just from looking at the print. Editor: Maybe hot chocolate later? In any case, let's warm ourselves with a new piece now, shall we?