Great Victory of Our Forces at the Battle of the Yellow Sea, Fourth Illustration Possibly 1894

Curator: What a striking woodblock print. This is Kobayashi Kiyochika’s "Great Victory of Our Forces at the Battle of the Yellow Sea, Fourth Illustration," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s incredibly dynamic. The way the waves are rendered gives the whole scene such energy, even a sense of unease. It’s a powerful composition with those towering warships amidst explosions. Curator: Kiyochika was working in a period of intense nationalism. Prints like these served to galvanize public support for the military, showcasing Japan's modernization after the Meiji Restoration. Editor: The high contrast between the bright, burning ships and the dark sea certainly creates drama. The artist masterfully uses the triptych format to expand the narrative scope. Curator: Absolutely. These images were crucial in shaping public opinion and reinforcing national identity. Kiyochika’s work, while seemingly celebratory, also reveals much about the socio-political climate of the time. Editor: I see now how the aesthetic choices contribute to that narrative. It's more than just a battle scene; it's a carefully constructed statement.