Loyaliteit 1773 - 1777

Editor: Here we have Utagawa Toyonobu's "Loyaliteit" made between 1773 and 1777, a woodblock print on silk that feels both intimate and carefully staged. What historical narratives might be interwoven within this seemingly simple scene of two women? Curator: That's a brilliant question. The print belongs to the ukiyo-e tradition, which translates to "pictures of the floating world." Think about that – floating. What power structures determined who was allowed to float, to enjoy leisure and beauty, and who was submerged? Editor: So, beyond the aesthetic appeal, it's a commentary on social stratification? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the figure bringing gifts. What does it mean for a woman to offer tokens of appreciation, of loyalty, to another? How do these carefully constructed roles within domestic space reflect the limited power dynamics afforded to women during the Edo period? Are these geishas, perhaps? Editor: They could be. It’s fascinating how seemingly simple courtesies can hint at larger social roles. Curator: Exactly! This print is a window into a world carefully constructed by and for a particular class, masking the complexities and potential oppressions beneath the surface of beauty and tradition. Does seeing it this way shift how you understand its appeal? Editor: It definitely adds another layer. I initially saw tranquility, but now I recognize there is perhaps a deliberate performance of tranquility… almost like a constructed form of power. Curator: Precisely. We see how art can serve as a powerful historical document, revealing nuances in the performance of identity and power relations. It is never just ‘a pretty picture,’ but it can spark dialogue with our present and inform our own performances. Editor: Thanks! I’ll never look at Ukiyo-e prints the same way again. Curator: Good! It's our role to keep asking those questions!