from the series Edo meisho c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have a print from the series Edo meisho by Utagawa Hiroshige. The scene is lively and detailed. What symbolic significance do you see within this composition? Curator: Notice how the pine trees frame the vista, Editor. In Japanese art, pines often symbolize longevity and steadfastness, witnessing the passage of time. Does that resonance of endurance connect with the bustling human activity below? Editor: That's a great point, it really does! So it connects the earthly and the timeless. Thanks for illuminating this cultural context. Curator: It also illustrates how symbols resonate differently across cultures and epochs, doesn't it? Something to remember as we view more art.