Theehuis serveerster een brief lezend 1825 - 1830

Utagawa Kunisada created this woodblock print of a teahouse waitress reading a letter, sometime in the 19th century. Kunisada was a leading printmaker in Japan and he often focused on Kabuki actors, but he also made images of women in domestic settings. In this print, the woman’s elegant kimono and hairstyle indicate her high social standing, while the letter introduces a narrative element. Was it sent from a lover? Does it reveal a secret? The small image in the top right is a clue to this narrative. The artist's cultural references such as these offer a glimpse into the social and political life of the time. The institutional history of printmaking in Japan also plays a role. Prints were a popular art form, available to a wide audience, and they often reflected the values and concerns of the middle class. To better understand this print, we can consult historical records, literature, and other visual materials from the period. Art history reminds us that art is always shaped by its social and institutional context.