Young Lady and Matron, from "Girls of Fukagawa - A Triptych (Fukagawa musume sanpukutsui)" c. 1750s

Curator: This print, "Young Lady and Matron, from 'Girls of Fukagawa - A Triptych,'" dates back to the 1750s and is the work of Torii Kiyomitsu. Its location, Fukagawa, was at the time one of the pleasure districts of Edo. Editor: It’s so delicate. The gentle palette of blues and creams creates a serene atmosphere, almost like a dream. I’m immediately drawn to the intricate patterns on the kimonos. Curator: The women depicted were essentially celebrities in their day. Ukiyo-e prints such as these were a form of social currency, acting almost like a cross between a modern-day gossip magazine and fashion blog. Kiyomitsu, of the Torii school, played a significant role in shaping the image of the courtesan for public consumption. Editor: Look at the subtle variations in line weight—notice the soft curves defining the women’s faces against the sharp, graphic lines of the architecture in the background. It's all so carefully considered to direct the eye. And consider the flatness, very characteristic of Ukiyo-e; and still, these flattened figures are so dynamic in a way... Curator: Absolutely, and this dynamic flattening was a deliberate artistic choice. In the Edo period, strict social hierarchies governed almost every aspect of life. Artists, working under constraints and censorship, often used metaphor and visual allusion to circumvent these societal barriers. So the depiction of these women can be interpreted as pushing back against those confines, or rather, existing in a world detached from them. Editor: I see what you mean about pushing back, because while the background setting certainly establishes context, it is minimal in relation to the foreground; our attention is on the women. Their placid facial features give a quiet dignity to the entire work. Curator: Exactly. Through these images, the Fukagawa district was mythologized, becoming synonymous with refined taste, artistry and female allure, even for those who had no access to these establishments, further increasing the artist's and subject's appeal. It's fascinating to consider how art played a role in the making of a social aspiration. Editor: Yes, this work rewards close looking, revealing layers of compositional and artful details. It strikes an effortless harmony. Curator: It certainly is. I find it intriguing to see how these images provided not only entertainment but also social commentary, shaping perceptions and, perhaps, even subtly challenging social structures.