Putting on the Obi or Girdle 1868

This hand-colored albumen print, 'Putting on the Obi or Girdle,' was created by Felice Beato. The composition immediately draws the eye to two female figures, their placement within the frame creating a balanced yet dynamic visual rhythm. The soft sepia tones lend a subdued, almost dreamlike quality to the scene. What’s striking is how Beato uses the act of dressing – a seemingly private moment – to explore broader themes of representation. The textures of the kimonos and the obi are meticulously rendered, inviting a semiotic reading. Each garment, each fold, acts as a signifier of cultural identity and social status. Yet, by focusing on the process, Beato destabilizes the fixed image of the exotic "other," offering a glimpse into the everyday. The composition, while seemingly straightforward, challenges established notions of perspective. The figures occupy a shallow space, pushing them closer to the picture plane. It’s through this strategic arrangement that Beato prompts us to question our gaze, acknowledging the act of looking as an active, interpretive process.