from the illustrated book "Kachō gaden" 

Curator: What strikes me immediately is the dramatic contrast of light and shadow within this print. Editor: Indeed. What we're looking at is a page from "Kacho Gaden", a woodblock print, attributed to Katsushika Taito II, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The composition features a peacock perched among peonies. The sharp definition highlights the texture. What do you make of the subject? Curator: The means of production are front and center. Woodblock printing allowed for the mass dissemination of images. Prints like this democratized art, making it accessible to a wider audience beyond the elite. The labor involved in carving the blocks is also quite substantial. Editor: I see your point, and that labor contributes to the visual richness. The artist's handling of line and form really captures the delicate beauty of the blossoms and the regal presence of the bird. The detail in the feathers is captivating. Curator: It’s interesting to consider how this image might have functioned in society, perhaps as decoration or even a status symbol reflecting an interest in the natural world. Editor: A beautiful piece, however it was consumed. Curator: Precisely. There's a certain timelessness that continues to resonate, isn't there?