Beating the Second Wife According to the Old Custom c. 1852

Editor: This woodblock print, "Beating the Second Wife According to the Old Custom," is by Utagawa Hiroshige. The title itself is so striking, and the scene so chaotic. How do we even begin to interpret this artwork? Curator: Well, the title alone signals the deeply ingrained patriarchal structures of the time. Consider the power dynamics inherent in polygamous relationships. What might this image be saying about the societal acceptance, or perhaps even celebration, of violence against women within that context? Editor: So, it’s not just a historical snapshot, but a critique? Curator: Perhaps. Or perhaps it's a complicated commentary, reflecting the normalization of such practices. What do you notice about the expressions on the women's faces? Are they gleeful, resigned, or something else entirely? The artist is presenting a mirror to society, and it is up to us to unpack the nuances. Editor: It's disturbing to consider how casually this violence might have been viewed. I’ll never look at art the same way. Curator: Precisely! It's not just about aesthetics, but about understanding the complex social and political realities art reflects and, sometimes, challenges.