Bonito and Gurnard c. 1835 - 1839

Editor: This woodblock print, titled "Bonito and Gurnard" was created around 1835-1839 by Utagawa Hiroshige. The fish fill the frame. I find the composition so direct, almost stark. How should we interpret this piece? Curator: This print is far from a simple depiction of seafood. We must consider the cultural context of ukiyo-e. These prints weren’t just art; they were commodities, reflections of Edo-period society and its burgeoning consumer culture. Does the image remind you of posters, today? Editor: Sort of, now that you mention it! Like an advertisement, but for fish. So the prints themselves participated in this consumer culture, almost celebrating it? Curator: Precisely. These prints, readily available and relatively inexpensive, democratized art. Consider the act of printing itself - mass production, versus individual painting. The politics of imagery are also involved. This simple image celebrates everyday life in the markets. How do you view this in relation to other art you've seen? Editor: Hmm… Unlike art made for the elite class of that time, where maybe the images portrayed power and grandeur. So instead, common folk were encouraged to partake in collecting and viewing, without it being some exclusive ritual. Curator: Excellent! Hiroshige elevated everyday objects. It brings a dignity and aesthetic interest to them that perhaps wasn’t socially common. What do you make of this artistic choice? Editor: It seems very…modern, in a way. Like Pop Art! The focus on everyday things, available to the masses, now celebrated in art itself. Curator: Indeed! The prints, and other Ukiyo-e works are early forerunners. Today, let’s remember the dynamic interplay between art, commerce, and the evolving social landscape when you appreciate these. Editor: So, beyond being a pretty picture of fish, it really speaks volumes about the changes happening in Japanese society at the time! Curator: Absolutely. Context matters!