After Bath 1932

This is After Bath by Hirano Hakuhō, made with woodblock print on paper. It's like a little stage set, isn't it? I find the choice of colors really striking. The muted tones of the figure contrast beautifully with the bold patterns of the surrounding textiles. Hakuhō isn’t trying to trick you into thinking this is real life, but instead, he's creating a world of his own making. And the lines! So clean and assured, they define the forms with such grace. I'm especially drawn to the way the artist uses line to describe the curve of the model’s back. There's something so sensual and intimate about it. It feels as though the artist is inviting us to share in a private moment of reflection. You know, it puts me in mind of Utamaro. He's working in the same tradition, after all. It's a conversation, like one long game of telephone, where each artist adds their own twist to the story. Art isn't about answers, it's about possibilities.