Copulerende man en vrouw c. 1870 - 1880

Curator: Here we have "Copulating Man and Woman," an ink and watercolor drawing made circa 1870-1880 by Kawanabe Kyosai, housed right here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My first impression is a blend of awkwardness and intrigue. The figures feel almost disjointed, the composition chaotic, yet there's an undeniable energy. It makes me question the power dynamics represented and perhaps critique social mores of the period. Curator: An astute observation. The use of line is particularly striking. Kyosai masterfully employs varying line weights to define form and delineate space, creating depth and volume despite the work's two-dimensionality. Notice the almost calligraphic quality, especially in the rendering of the hair and musculature. Editor: And the lack of distinct facial features? Are we to assume that sexuality or gender is somewhat fluid here? It evokes the grotesque, unsettling conventional standards and perhaps lampooning societal expectations about how bodies, especially female bodies, are seen or objectified. Curator: Precisely. We see an amalgamation of influences, from traditional ukiyo-e to the emerging Western art movements. The flattened perspective and emphasis on surface pattern pay homage to Japanese printmaking, while the anatomical distortions suggest a fascination with realism filtered through a distinctly personal lens. Editor: These playful distortions allow us a lens through which to discuss the problematic ways in which we imagine intimacy, and pleasure more broadly. Who is the author attempting to center with this erotic exploration, and whose pleasure counts? Is there even such a thing as mutual pleasure on view here, and what message are we as an audience to extract? Curator: The subject matter, too, is notable. Genre painting offers us these fascinating, somewhat awkward slices of life. This isn't simply about eroticism; it's a glimpse into the daily lives of a period culture with a unique vantage. Editor: And maybe in dissecting these historic depictions, we make space for alternative contemporary conversations on pleasure. It's important that we acknowledge both their unique approach, as well as what has been made possible by new media technologies for example since its moment of creation. Curator: It serves as a powerful reminder that even in seemingly familiar settings, the gaze shapes and reshapes how we understand the human form, as well as its many interpretations and possibilities. Editor: The dynamism present serves as a strong point from which to examine the shifting expectations placed on women and the potential, or sometimes lack of potential to reimagine the script around those standards.