Waaierprent met tussen waterlelies zwemmende schildpad c. 1829

Editor: This watercolor print by Onishi Chinnen, created around 1829, is titled "Fan Print with Turtle Swimming Among Water Lilies". I find it so serene. The turtle looks content. What's your perspective on this work? Curator: Ukiyo-e prints, like this one, were not merely decorative. They were deeply interwoven with Edo-period society. This image speaks volumes about the cultural values placed on nature, longevity, and perhaps even a quiet resistance against the rising societal pressures. Notice how the fan shape suggests an element of performance and display within a sophisticated urban culture. Consider its accessibility as a print. How does that affect your understanding of it? Editor: Well, knowing it's a print, meant for wider circulation, makes me think about how the artist might have been trying to convey these values to a broader public. Was the turtle a common symbol? Curator: Precisely. The turtle in Japanese art frequently represents long life and good fortune, rooted in ancient Chinese symbolism. So, in a rapidly changing society, where merchant classes were gaining prominence, an image like this could serve as a reminder of enduring values. But beyond the symbolic, look at the composition. Do you think the artist is making a statement about the turtle's place in the world? Editor: I hadn’t thought about that before. The turtle is small compared to the expanse of water and plants, but it also appears to be perfectly at home, unbothered. Maybe it speaks to finding peace within a larger world. Curator: Indeed. And consider the act of making and circulating such an image – promoting these ideals, solidifying values through artistic creation. Editor: It's interesting to consider how even a seemingly simple image can be packed with cultural and social meaning. Curator: Absolutely! It opens up a fascinating window into the world for which it was made.