Pilgrims Travelling to Ise by Chōgō

Pilgrims Travelling to Ise 18th century

0:00
0:00

drawing, paper, ink

# 

drawing

# 

narrative-art

# 

asian-art

# 

landscape

# 

ukiyo-e

# 

folk art

# 

figuration

# 

paper

# 

ink

# 

folk-art

# 

miniature

Dimensions: Image: 18 7/8 × 21 5/8 in. (48 × 55 cm) Overall with mounting: 54 1/2 × 24 3/4 in. (138.5 × 62.8 cm) Overall with knobs: 54 1/2 × 26 15/16 in. (138.5 × 68.5 cm)

Copyright: Public Domain

Editor: This is “Pilgrims Travelling to Ise,” an 18th-century ink and paper drawing by Chōdō, now residing at the Met. There's a sense of communal labor and journey. It seems like the artist is highlighting a very specific moment and method of travel. What do you see when you look at this work? Curator: As a materialist, I'm immediately drawn to the socio-economic context of this pilgrimage. Look at the diverse roles involved in the journey—the palanquin bearers, the animal handlers, and the pilgrims themselves. The drawing acts as a record of the physical effort and social stratification inherent in pilgrimage. How does the artist depict the burden of labor? Editor: It’s subtle, isn't it? They aren't overtly emphasizing the physical strain. Is this possibly related to idealizing folk life at the time? Curator: Precisely! But even in this apparent idealization, consider the materials themselves. The ink, the paper - these were commodities, made accessible to a rising merchant class. What does the use of miniature, folk-art inspired aesthetic for narrative-art drawing say about the art market during that period? Is it democratizing art, or aestheticizing labor? Editor: So, the choice of materials and style, far from being neutral, reflects larger power dynamics? The artist chose specific materials knowing the impact this choice might carry? Curator: Absolutely! The materiality of this drawing and the means of its production and circulation place it firmly within a specific historical and social fabric. By emphasizing the laborers within the image as well as labor *required* to produce it, we can deconstruct its apparent simplicity and reveal underlying social commentary. Editor: I never considered the economics behind the artwork itself before. This completely changed how I see "Pilgrims Travelling to Ise.” Thanks for that! Curator: Likewise! It is fascinating how an image opens itself to you once you approach it with this material consciousness.

Show more

Comments

No comments

Be the first to comment and join the conversation on the ultimate creative platform.