YUKARI NO UTENSHU c. 19th century

Editor: This is "YUKARI NO UTENSHU" by Utagawa Kunisada. It feels very theatrical, almost like a scene from a play. What can you tell me about how the context of theatre might impact the work? Curator: Well, Kunisada was deeply involved in the Kabuki theatre world. Consider how this imagery, likely actors in costume, circulated. How did printed images like this shape public perceptions of actors and their roles, and conversely, how did the stage influence woodblock prints? Editor: So, it's a back and forth between the stage and the print? Curator: Precisely. The print functions almost as advertising, but it also elevates the actors, solidifying their place in society. Consider the politics of representation at play: who gets to be seen, and how? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't thought about it as a form of early celebrity culture. Curator: Exactly. It makes you wonder about the agency of these figures and the power of the image.