Ruiter met gevolg en de begroeting van daimyo 1800 - 1900

Editor: Here we have Hokusai's "Ruiter met gevolg en de begroeting van daimyo," dating somewhere between 1800 and 1900. It's a drawing and a print, ink on paper, and currently held at the Rijksmuseum. I'm really struck by the contrast between the grandeur of the landscape and the small figures. It's so delicate and quiet. What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: Quiet is the perfect word. It reminds me of a haiku - capturing a whole world in a few simple strokes. I see a carefully orchestrated performance. On the left, the retinue descends, perhaps a bit clumsily, the horse almost slipping down the hill. And on the right, stillness, controlled elegance as the daimyo prepares to receive them. Look how the waterfall bisects the composition, doesn't it feel like a stage curtain rising? What stories do you think play out on this stage? Editor: That's a beautiful way to put it, a visual poem. It makes me think about power, hierarchy, and the weight of tradition. Curator: Precisely. Notice the scale of Mount Fuji looming in the background - a silent, watchful witness. This backdrop reminds us of the enduring forces of nature alongside these fleeting displays of human status. There's a hint of theatricality here. Do you think Hokusai is critiquing or celebrating this hierarchy? Editor: Maybe both? There's a reverence in the detail, but also, as you said, maybe a subtle critique in highlighting the artifice. It feels intentionally ambiguous. Curator: Ambiguity is the soul of great art, isn't it? Hokusai offers us a glimpse into a world, laden with unspoken rules and poised gestures. It allows for endless imaginings. I see both poetry and an inquiry here. What a feat! Editor: I completely agree. Looking at it now, with your perspective in mind, it feels like the print is inviting me to question those established systems of power. I really appreciate that subtle prompting. Thanks for sharing your view!