Lachende courtisanes 1804

Kitagawa Utamaro created this woodblock print, “Laughing Courtesans,” which now resides in the Rijksmuseum. Here, one sees not just a scene, but an intimate glimpse into the lives of courtesans, surrounded by symbols of beauty and leisure: elaborate kimonos, delicate tea sets, and the subtle, almost hidden, natural world peeking through the screens. Consider the ubiquitous presence of screens—both those depicted and the very act of viewing this print. They echo the veils and masks cultures use to both reveal and conceal aspects of life, and connect to ancient theatrical traditions, like Greek drama, where the chorus observed and commented from behind a screen. The screens here allow for a psychological space where societal expectations intersect with individual expression. This cultural and emotional power in visual symbols persists through art history, constantly resurfacing and taking on new meanings, engaging us on a subconscious level.