Courtesan Yaegiku of the Matsubaya (Matsubaya uchi Yaegiku) c. 1797 - 1798

Curator: This is "Courtesan Yaegiku of the Matsubaya" by Kitagawa Utamaro, a woodblock print from the Late Edo period. Editor: There's a striking serenity in her expression, isn't there? Almost melancholic. Curator: Indeed. Yaegiku was a celebrated courtesan; these images were highly circulated, shaping perceptions and ideals of beauty within Edo society. Editor: The elaborate hairstyle and the delicate tilt of her head, though, speak to something more than just idealized beauty. It is like she's carrying a weight of expectation. Curator: The composition and the symbols are tools for communicating social status. Editor: Perhaps that status came at a cost, which is hinted at by the delicate line work. Curator: A fascinating interplay between public image and private emotion, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely, a portrait that lingers in the mind long after you've moved on.