Verzameling moderne ontwerpen - deel één 1901

Editor: This striking book cover, *Verzameling moderne ontwerpen - deel één* by Utagawa Hirosada, created in 1901, uses colored pencil and print on paper. The muted orange hue is interesting. How should we interpret its significance given the Ukiyo-e artistic tradition? Curator: Given its time, consider the role that mass-produced imagery played in disseminating cultural ideals. Print, and graphic art enabled the popularization of certain aesthetics. The very title indicates modern design which suggests this volume acted as inspiration for artisans in their craft and trades. Editor: It's interesting how it's not necessarily intended to be displayed as a fine art piece, but more as a pattern book. Curator: Exactly. How do you think the institutional framework of the Rijksmuseum, its collection and display choices, impacts how viewers perceive an object originally created for practical application? Does displaying a functional pattern book elevate its status? Editor: Definitely. By preserving it in a museum, it transforms the book from its functional origins into something more. The museum's choices also suggest what’s deemed valuable from this era and tradition. Curator: Precisely. It becomes a political act of cultural preservation, framing this example of graphic art as a worthy object of study. Do you find the aesthetic pleasing? Editor: Now that you explain it, it has an even deeper significance! Curator: The dialogue between practical design, artistic production, and institutional validation reveals intricate levels of cultural value. Thanks! Editor: This was quite informative. Thank you!