De spiegelpolijster c. 1800 - 1805

"De spiegelpolijster" by Katsushika Hokusai, is a woodblock print that captures a slice of 19th-century Japanese life. Hokusai emerged in a society marked by rigid social hierarchies. He often depicted everyday scenes and people, reflecting the lives of the working class and common folk. The print illustrates a mirror polisher with three women gazing into the mirror. These women, with their elaborate hairstyles and serene expressions, suggest a world of beauty, ritual, and perhaps, societal expectations. The mirror, an object of vanity, raises questions about identity and self-perception, especially for women in a society that was largely patriarchal. The artwork's appeal lies in its ability to capture a moment of reflection, literally and figuratively. It portrays the emotional and personal dimensions of beauty and identity in a culture that simultaneously celebrated and restricted its female members.