American Couple (Amerika), from the series Pictures of People from Foreign Lands (Gaikoku jimbutsu zue), published by Yamadaya Shōjirō (CHECK IF A OR B UPON ARRIVAL AT HUAM) by Utagawa Yoshitora

American Couple (Amerika), from the series Pictures of People from Foreign Lands (Gaikoku jimbutsu zue), published by Yamadaya Shōjirō (CHECK IF A OR B UPON ARRIVAL AT HUAM) Possibly 1860

0:00
0:00

Dimensions: Paper: H. 36.0 cm x W. 24.9 cm (14 3/16 x 9 13/16 in.)

Copyright: CC0 1.0

Curator: This woodblock print is titled "American Couple (Amerika)", from the series *Pictures of People from Foreign Lands,* by Utagawa Yoshitora. Editor: There's a striking theatricality here. The exaggerated features, the flamboyant clothing… it feels like satire, almost mocking Westerners. Curator: Yes, the artist likely hadn't encountered Americans firsthand. He's drawing on second-hand accounts, shaping perceptions through exaggerated visual cues and symbols of foreignness. The clothing, while attempting to capture Western fashion, is imbued with Japanese textile designs. Editor: The woman's skirt, for instance—the bold floral patterns clash so fascinatingly with the Western silhouette. It’s a powerful commentary on cultural exchange and the often-uneasy merging of different worlds. Curator: Precisely. It illuminates how cultures interpret and re-imagine each other, encoding their own values and perspectives into these representations. Editor: Seeing this image, I am reminded that identities are always fluid. Curator: A fascinating glimpse into cross-cultural perception and the narratives we weave around those we deem "foreign."

Show more

Comments

No comments

Be the first to comment and join the conversation on the ultimate creative platform.