Mandarin Duck and Drake 1828

Editor: This is "Mandarin Duck and Drake," a woodblock print created by Totoya Hokkei in 1828. It’s incredibly delicate and detailed. I'm immediately drawn to the ducks themselves – their almost cartoonish appearance, but I’m curious to know more. What captures your attention when you look at this print? Curator: You know, these aren't just ducks; they're a symbol, an echo of devotion. Notice how closely they're huddled, their orange feet almost intertwined? It's as if Hokkei captured a moment of pure intimacy. And those delicate lines? They whisper of nature's transient beauty, don’t they? It’s less about scientific accuracy, more about a feeling. The muted colors are amazing, because it makes me wonder, why those choices? Editor: That's lovely – the idea of it capturing intimacy. I didn’t think of them as being intertwined that way. I focused so much on the fact that the composition cuts the ducks off at the top. So they aren't exactly a symbol for love? Curator: Oh, they certainly can be! It all comes back to interpretation. And maybe that cropped composition actually focuses us more on the affection between these birds, wouldn’t you say? You see them in their own little world, which accentuates the symbolic reading. It could almost be any two partners, loving each other! The surrounding verse is likely related to that meaning too, like a little haiku accompaniment. What feeling do you get from the framing text at the top and right? Editor: It feels integrated but somehow still separate – it adds another layer of meaning without feeling totally connected to the ducks. It creates a sense of time or tradition, as the relationship it depicts has existed for many eras and cultures. Curator: Exactly! So, from a cartoonish, almost superficial presentation it comes down to being intimate! I love that it takes the work through a kind of evolution. Editor: I see what you mean. This artwork has many intricate layers to uncover. It is really great seeing the details from your lens.