THREE FIGURES 

Curator: Immediately, I'm struck by the almost melancholic stillness of these figures. It’s as if time has slowed, and the world around them holds its breath. Editor: This is Utagawa Toyohiro's "Three Figures," now residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Toyohiro, who lived from 1763 to 1828, was a prominent artist of ukiyo-e, this particular artwork gives us a glimpse into the lives, or maybe idealized versions, of women in his time. Curator: The way their robes flow, almost merging with the muted landscape, it's like they are one with the environment around them. Perhaps it's about showing women’s harmony with nature? Editor: Yes, there is an element of that. But also, there is the very real social pressure on women to conform, to be pleasing, to know their place in society. Curator: Well, harmony can be pressure too. But their serene expressions and the flowing lines create a sense of peace, don't you think? Editor: It’s a constructed peace. One that is built on societal expectations. The beauty is undeniable, but I see the weight of it all too. Curator: That's what's so fascinating, isn't it? This image holds both beauty and a hint of the unspoken, a silent story. Editor: Precisely. And that tension is what makes it a compelling piece of art and a valuable cultural artifact.