Kuniyoshi at Easel, Old New York 1941

In Max Yavno's photograph, we see Kuniyoshi at his easel, a modern master amidst the tools of creation. The crossed arms, a gesture of self-containment, resonate across centuries of portraiture, a motif worn by rulers and thinkers alike. Consider the Buddha, often depicted with arms folded, symbolizing inner peace and detachment. Yet, here, in Kuniyoshi, the gesture takes on a different hue. It speaks not only of artistic contemplation but perhaps also of the artist's complex identity, caught between worlds, as he assimilates western influences while staying true to his Japanese roots. The image evokes a timeless question: How do we reconcile tradition with innovation? This photograph does not offer answers but invites us to reflect on the recurring dance between past and present. A dance where symbols never truly die, but are reborn in new contexts, carrying echoes of bygone eras.