Water plant c. 18th century

Editor: This is "Water Plant" by Ito Jakuchu, made around the 18th century, using ink on paper. The composition, especially given the fan shape, feels very deliberate. How do you see this piece, particularly with your expertise? Curator: I find the fan's form intriguing. Its functionality implies a context beyond pure aesthetics - perhaps as a commodity or even a diplomatic gift. Consider the material itself, the paper: its sourcing, production, and the labor involved in turning raw material into a surface for art. Doesn’t this complicate our view of Jakuchu as solely a detached artist? Editor: I never thought about the labor behind it; it's just always 'paper' to me. Curator: Precisely! And then the ink. The shades, the brushstrokes...these reveal skill and access to particular resources and techniques. Do you think these materials affect our interpretation? Editor: I guess knowing the ink wasn't just picked up at the corner store gives it… authority? Does it change how we should think about the imagery itself, that water plant? Curator: The imagery is also fascinating when considering trade. Water plants and their depictions have cultural value but are also exchanged. Could this image represent something beyond a botanical study? Is it about trade or a representation of Japan to others, or perhaps some comment about local labor and how Jakuchu positions himself? Editor: That is a lot more than just a plant. I suppose I've only ever looked at art from the perspective of the finished product. Curator: Seeing art through a material lens definitely gives us fresh ways of understanding production, social value, and labor practices tied to artworks. Editor: Absolutely. Thanks for broadening my perspective!