Still Life with a Writing-table c. 1832

Curator: Here we have Totoya Hokkei’s "Still Life with a Writing-table" from around 1832. I’m struck by how intimate it feels, like a glimpse into a very personal space. What are your first impressions? Editor: It feels calm, domestic. It’s a woodblock print, right? The colors are soft, and I like how all the objects are arranged; not crowded, but deliberately placed. How do you interpret this work, especially given the period in which Hokkei was creating it? Curator: Let’s consider the writing table itself. It suggests literacy, education, and privilege. Who had access to these tools and spaces in 19th-century Japan? Whose stories were being told and, crucially, whose were being silenced or overlooked? Editor: So, you’re suggesting we consider this image in light of social hierarchies? Curator: Exactly. Notice also the presence of natural elements, like the plum blossoms. These could be understood as symbolic of resilience and beauty found even within rigid societal structures, alluding to a natural, feminine strength in the confined space. But do you feel Hokkei offers a subtle critique of societal norms, or is it merely an aesthetic observation? Editor: It’s a good point that we may need to acknowledge there is not necessarily a political interpretation, and sometimes it is fine to see a peaceful space. The tension, for me, exists within knowing what life could be like and still appreciating beauty around oneself. Curator: And how does knowing its place in the Rijksmuseum today impact the piece’s impact, when placed among other artworks that may amplify those tensions even further? Editor: I hadn't thought about that, but you're right. Placing it in conversation with other pieces reframes the meaning again. Thanks for making me think more critically. Curator: And thank you for opening my eyes to seeing the quiet of domesticity within.