Beauties on Verandah Admiring Iris Pond 

Editor: This is "Beauties on Verandah Admiring Iris Pond" by Katsukawa Shunkō, at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a print on paper. I’m struck by how it captures a scene of leisure, almost like a snapshot of a social gathering. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Woodblock prints like this were immensely popular, acting as a form of social commentary, reflecting the fashion and leisure activities of the Edo period elite. Notice how the artist depicts women in various social positions, from the boat to the veranda. What does this tell us about the role of women and their representation in art at the time? Editor: I guess it shows them primarily in domestic or leisure settings, which might reflect their limited public roles. Curator: Precisely. And consider the setting itself, an iris pond, a culturally significant location often associated with specific festivals and social gatherings. The art isn’t just aesthetic; it’s deeply embedded in social practices. Editor: I never thought about it that way, it’s like a window into their society. Curator: Exactly, seeing art as a historical document is key.