Goggle-eyed Sea Bream and Bamboo Grass, from an untitled series known as Large Fish c. 19th century

Curator: What a striking image! This is "Goggle-eyed Sea Bream and Bamboo Grass" by Utagawa Hiroshige, part of his series known as Large Fish. Editor: It certainly is eye-catching, with that brilliantly colored fish dominating the frame against the pale blue. Curator: These prints were circulating in a context where there was a growing urban culture and consumerism in Japan. Woodblock prints became a vital form of disseminating information and entertainment. Editor: I find the stark contrast between the realistic depiction of the fish and the more stylized bamboo interesting. The fish almost seems to be making a commentary on its environment. Curator: It's a dialogue about our relationship with the natural world. Hiroshige situates the fish as a symbol of abundance but also of vulnerability. Editor: That makes me reconsider the role of imagery in constructing narratives. It is indeed a very thought-provoking piece.