Picture Book of Selected Insects (Ehon mushi erami), vol. 1 Woodblock-printed books; ink and color on paper

Curator: This is a page from Kitagawa Utamaro’s *Picture Book of Selected Insects*, or *Ehon Mushi Erami*, from around 1799, held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's quite delicate! The way the pale washes create depth, it’s like stumbling upon a secret world thriving in the margins. Curator: Utamaro was known for his portraits of beautiful women, but this album demonstrates an interest in the natural world, which was gaining popularity in Japan. Editor: The insects, rendered with such detail alongside the corn, speak to a close observation of natural processes and, implicitly, the labor inherent in agriculture. Curator: Exactly. It reflects a growing interest in scientific observation and the commodification of knowledge during that period. Editor: It makes you wonder about the consumers of this kind of imagery. Were they farmers, merchants, or perhaps scholars? Curator: Likely a mix, reflecting the diversification of artistic patronage. Editor: Food, labor, life... It's all quietly humming here. Curator: Indeed, a quiet snapshot of a world in transition, beautifully rendered.