Chrysanthemum, from the series Gods of Good Fortune Represented as Flowers (Hana zukushi mitate fukurokuju)  c. 20th century

Curator: What strikes me immediately is the density of these chrysanthemums; they almost vibrate against that rose background. Editor: This is "Chrysanthemum, from the series Gods of Good Fortune Represented as Flowers (Hana zukushi mitate fukurokuju)" by Utagawa Hiroshige, now at the Harvard Art Museums. It is a woodblock print, so think about the labor that went into carving the blocks. Curator: The fan shape is important; it flattens the perspective and focuses the viewer on the intimate space of the flowers. It speaks to ideas about leisure and refinement, but also social status. Editor: Yes, and Hiroshige's choice of the chrysanthemum, traditionally associated with the Japanese Imperial family, can be read as a subtle commentary on power structures. Curator: I appreciate how the blooms are rendered, petal by petal. This level of detail speaks to the value placed on craftsmanship and artisanal skill. Editor: I think that this piece provides a lens through which we can view the intersection of botany, symbolism, and societal hierarchy in 19th-century Japan. Curator: Precisely; it's a potent reminder that even seemingly simple objects can contain layers of cultural meaning and artistic labor. Editor: A beautiful illustration of how an image can hold both cultural history and the artist’s own critical perspective.