Portrait of Actor Shirai Gompachi, from the series "Designs by Kuniyoshi of Infamous Rogues" (Kuniyoshi moyo shofudatsuki genkin otoko) c. 19th century

Curator: This striking woodblock print, currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums, is Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s "Portrait of Actor Shirai Gompachi, from the series 'Designs by Kuniyoshi of Infamous Rogues'". Editor: The actor has an unsettling gaze, almost defiant. The stark contrast and linear patterns of the robe create a visually arresting effect. Curator: Kuniyoshi was known for depicting popular heroes and historical figures. The series highlights the romanticized image of rogues in Edo period culture. Editor: But were these figures truly romanticized, or were they products of systemic inequality and societal breakdown? The print seems to hint at both the allure and the underlying desperation. Curator: It's vital to consider the sociopolitical backdrop—the rigid class structures and the yearning for social mobility that might have fueled the fascination with these "infamous" characters. Editor: Precisely. This piece compels us to examine the narratives we construct around power, rebellion, and the human cost of societal constraints. Curator: Indeed. It leaves us pondering the enduring appeal of the anti-hero in art and history. Editor: And it pushes us to question whose stories are told, and how, within the larger framework of power.