Marching as to War 1904

Curator: Helen Hyde created this evocative print, "Marching as to War," in 1904. It's a fascinating example of her engagement with Ukiyo-e traditions during her time in Japan. Editor: Whoa, there's a lot happening, I get an unsettling yet beautiful feeling when looking at it. There is something powerful here in the little one. You almost forget he's just a kid! Curator: Right? Hyde’s work often provides a nuanced commentary on cultural exchange and representation, inviting us to consider how Western artists engaged with and interpreted Japanese subjects at the turn of the century, with the backdrop of imperialism that influenced the period's lens of Asian portrayal in art. The child clutches a flag, looking toward the distance. Consider what meanings that symbol would have meant then, and means to us now, particularly given our contemporary global politics. Editor: Hmm... It's that "marching" bit, isn’t it? Makes me a little uneasy. It's cute in a way—like kids playing soldier—but there is something dark lurking. Also, this medium--colored pencils and watercolor in an etching-- gives such soft coloring, especially in the child's robe and the little flowers popping, but also provides that somberness and contrast on the robe to highlight the topic at hand. The texture makes the little guy pop, which I am very into. Curator: Exactly. And the title really pushes us to grapple with those tensions. The innocence of childhood juxtaposed with the grim reality of war… how do we interpret that relationship? Given Hyde's position as a Western woman artist working in Japan, issues of cultural appropriation are also at play here. Her art became immensely popular, as you can imagine. And prints were easily able to cross borders to the western world. Editor: I see it… it is so complex to examine from our contemporary perspective, yet a beautiful window into an era. Curator: I agree, examining the historical context and considering the ethical implications allows us to have a more complete view of this piece. Editor: Well, my brain is whirring now… something as delicate as childhood, forever on the march through history!