Mirror and Stand 1815

"Mirror and Stand" (1815) is a woodblock print by Japanese artist Kikugawa Eizan (1787-1867) depicting a mirror stand and a hand mirror. Eizan was known for his depictions of everyday objects and scenes from Japanese life, a style of art known as ukiyo-e, which translates to “pictures of the floating world.” The image is likely a depiction of traditional Japanese beauty standards and practices, which valued the care and maintenance of the appearance, including the use of mirrors. The delicate, minimalist style of the artwork reflects the artist’s mastery of woodblock printing and his ability to capture the subtle beauty of everyday objects.