Lezende vrouw 1845 - 1900

Curator: Right, let’s discuss "Lezende Vrouw", or "Reading Woman," a woodblock print created sometime between 1845 and 1900. The artist behind it is Toyohara Kunichika, and we are lucky to have it here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Wow, she looks completely absorbed! It's kind of funny, actually. She's tucked away with her book, but surrounded by these vibrant patterns. It’s like finding a quiet corner in a super loud party. The whole thing kind of vibrates. Curator: That juxtaposition is key, I think. Kunichika, a master of Ukiyo-e, skillfully contrasts her private moment with the public sphere through stylistic choices. Consider how this portrayal deviates from idealized representations. It shows an introspective ordinary moment, but this work of art also intersects broader social commentary on female roles, literacy, and class dynamics within Japanese society. Editor: Right! And she’s not just *reading*. She looks *consumed*, you know? Like, she's fully lost in the story. Plus the colours! The deep indigo of her kimono and that mad red print… It's like, BAM! Sensory overload! Also she smokes? What is the context? It´s cool! Curator: Absolutely! This intimate portrayal offers an opportunity to consider issues surrounding the intersections of gender, class, and representation. We must look at how female figures were rendered at the time and whether stereotypes are either reinforced or disrupted by Kunichika. And yes, the pipe adds another dimension! This raises important questions of agency, pleasure, and subversion, but could also challenge restrictive societal constraints during that historical moment. Editor: It does make you wonder, doesn't it? What *is* she reading? And is that some fancy bookmark or just some string she has hanging off the pages? Okay but for real what is this story about and could you share what do you think? Curator: I believe that, by depicting a reading woman, the artist suggests an expansion beyond traditional gender roles and the assertion of selfhood. Editor: You’re so right. It definitely encourages you to think about what she´s doing, to invent your own narrative, imagine a life! Thanks for sharing this different approach! Curator: And thank you for allowing us to look past just pure facticity.