The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV on a Bullock in a Snowstorm 1780 - 1800

Editor: Right now, we're looking at Katsukawa Shunko's woodblock print, "The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV on a Bullock in a Snowstorm," created somewhere between 1780 and 1800. The title says snowstorm, but to me, it looks more like a gentle snowfall, lending this entire piece an oddly calming effect. I wonder, what strikes you when you look at this print? Curator: Calming, you say? Yes, perhaps the swirling flakes have a quiet intensity. But for me, it’s the precarious balance of the figure atop the bullock in that weather! Do you think there's a deeper performance unfolding before us? This isn't merely a portrait, is it? Look closer at his stern gaze; what story do you imagine he's embodying? Editor: Hmm, you’re right, that stern gaze does suggest a role being played. Given it's an actor, and considering the turbulent weather, maybe it’s about resilience in the face of adversity, a sort of stoic acceptance of the storm? Curator: Exactly! The falling snow is a challenge to that inner steadiness. Ukiyo-e often captures these fleeting moments of transformation. Perhaps, he represents a specific character renowned for such unwavering resolve. Or maybe, and I’m just riffing here, this bovine companion becomes a stand-in for the grounding influence needed when navigating life’s blizzards. A curious combo, isn’t it? Nobility meets earthy groundedness. What do you think about the umbrella? The element is visually strange. Editor: Now that you mention it, that umbrella…it's shaped like a mushroom! Is it there to keep the snow off the actor, or to suggest… something else? The boundary between practical and metaphorical feels super-fuzzy here. Curator: Indeed! It reminds me of a visual poem – fragmented meanings swirling around an essence just out of reach. Isn't it wonderful how art from centuries ago can still ignite these playful possibilities? Editor: It truly is. I had initially missed so much of the depth, seeing only a literal depiction. Curator: That's the fun, though, isn’t it? Each look unveils another layer.