Zeepaardjes 1822

Editor: So, this is Hokusai's "Zeepaardjes" from 1822, a woodblock print held at the Rijksmuseum. It features what looks like opened containers, with cloud-like patterns. There's something both intricate and slightly odd about the perspective... What strikes you most when you look at this print? Curator: I see a fascinating reflection of the late Edo period's fascination with visual culture and mercantile practices. The detailed patterns suggest high craftsmanship, implying that these containers, likely for cosmetics or incense, were aimed at a wealthy clientele. It's less about accurate representation, more about evoking a sense of luxury and status. Why do you think Hokusai chose this specific subject? Editor: Well, perhaps it reflects the ukiyo-e tradition, capturing everyday life, but with an elevated aesthetic. I mean, it seems more complex than just representing 'everyday life,' as the multiple patterns seem a little busy. It looks as if there is a story to read here from these containers. Curator: Exactly. Think about how Japanese society was structured back then: Merchants were rising in power, challenging the old feudal order. Art like this became a vehicle for these new elites to assert their identity. Do you think displaying luxury goods, even through art, had a political dimension? Editor: That’s a very good point! By commissioning art celebrating commodities, the patrons were perhaps subverting traditional artistic norms which focused on landscapes or legendary events involving emperors, gods, and mythological creatures. I will now definitely explore the role of consumerism in Edo period art! Curator: I think you are absolutely right! I am now seeing new possibilities to analyse ukiyo-e art as a way of challenging authority, which also helped me see that images have profound social and cultural significance.