Doorgang met gordijnen c. 1885 - 1895

Editor: This watercolor print, "Doorgang met gordijnen" by Léon Laroche, likely made between 1885 and 1895, gives off a wonderfully decorative, almost theatrical vibe. It feels very staged, designed. What aspects stand out to you? Curator: This print, with its obvious Japonisme influences, needs to be considered within the history of colonialism and cultural appropriation. How do you see the representation of “Japan” here functioning within the broader context of 19th-century European Orientalism? Editor: Well, the composition exoticizes Japanese aesthetics by turning them into a style, removing any actual context and meaning. I see it less as a genuine cultural exchange and more as a superficial consumption. Curator: Exactly! Think about who had access to these images and the economic and power structures that enabled that access. These images circulated within specific social spheres, reinforcing particular ideologies about race, class, and empire. Consider how the domestic setting is presented. Editor: It looks like an affluent European trying to imitate or incorporate an imagined orientalist design in their house, creating a false vision. So, by focusing on the consumption of art we can highlight the historic inequalities perpetuated by that art. Curator: Precisely. By engaging with postcolonial theory, we can question whose perspectives are privileged. It is not enough to admire; we must analyze the power dynamics involved in cultural representation. Editor: So it goes beyond simply saying "this is pretty", it’s a deep dive into the social meaning and repercussions? Curator: Absolutely! Hopefully, we've provided a broader context with which to discuss such artwork.