Lip Rouge 1922

Curator: Here we have Ito Shinsui's "Lip Rouge" from 1922, a woodblock print currently held in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: The image is striking—almost haunting. There's a subtle, melancholy mood emanating from the subject. The muted palette and the downward gaze really draw me in. Curator: Shinsui was a significant figure in the Shin-hanga art movement, reviving traditional ukiyo-e techniques but with modern sensibilities. In what ways do you feel that the broader sociopolitical landscape of early 20th-century Japan influenced the art object, its production and distribution? Editor: Absolutely. This piece reflects both the embrace of modernity and a simultaneous yearning for tradition amidst a rapidly changing Japan. This aesthetic object signifies modern anxieties concerning gender and race constructs, including how new consumer industries influenced shifting, contemporary notions of selfhood. Curator: The "bijin-ga," or images of beautiful women, were incredibly popular. We should situate these art objects more explicitly into intersectional narratives. Can we see "Lip Rouge" as just an image of a beautiful woman applying makeup, or as something that subtly comments on the evolving role of women in Japanese society during the Taisho period? Editor: Exactly. Ukiyo-e had previously catered to a largely male audience, but Shin-hanga sought to appeal to a wider demographic. Moreover, as we contextualize the art production through an intersectional framework, "Lip Rouge" offers potential narratives concerning identity and the gaze. We may wish to address consumer culture and gender, class, race, and political economy during the era of art object creation and exhibition. Curator: Precisely. And it is this intersectional and dialogical approach that allows us to connect art history with contemporary issues, fostering greater engagement with our audiences. Editor: I agree. Understanding that "Lip Rouge" reflects the societal transformations is essential to appreciating its enduring relevance. The history and impact of ukiyo-e have continuing, rippling implications into our own, hypermodern era.