Vrouw met wierookbrander c. 1890 - 1900

This print, "Woman with Incense Burner," was created by Totoya Hokkei around the early 19th century and is now held at the Rijksmuseum. The woodblock print shows a figure in a seated pose, arranged within a square format that emphasizes symmetry. The artist juxtaposes the softness of the figure against the geometric shapes of the hanging incense burner and the surrounding text. The limited palette enhances the interplay between form and void, directing our focus to the lines that define the figure's garments and the burner's ornate details. Here, Hokkei carefully balances the concrete and the abstract, using both visual and textual elements to construct a composition that invites contemplation. The work exists at the nexus of aesthetic form and cultural narrative, reminding us that art is not merely representational but also an active participant in cultural discourse.