Russia (Oroshia) Possibly 1861

Curator: This is a woodblock print by Utagawa Yoshitora called "Russia (Oroshia)," and it's part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: My first thought? She looks like she's about to attend the world's most avant-garde debutante ball. That dress is wild! Curator: It's fascinating how Japanese artists depicted foreign cultures. This piece likely reflects limited access and a lot of imagination. Editor: It's like a paper doll's fever dream! The flat perspective, the rigid lines... it's both charming and a little unsettling. The fan-like object gives her a dark aura. Curator: It showcases the late Edo period’s fascination with the exotic, blending observation with theatricality. Think of the political implications of representing a powerful nation. Editor: I love the way art can become this strange game of telephone across cultures and centuries. It makes you question everything you thought you knew. Curator: Indeed, it’s a potent reminder that representation is never neutral. Editor: Makes me wonder what future generations will make of our attempts to depict the world.