Hoofdstuk 29 1849 - 1853

This woodblock print, "Chapter 29," was created by Utagawa Kunisada and is currently held in the Rijksmuseum. It shows a scene bathed in the artificial glow of candlelight and the soft light of a night garden. Note how Kunisada masterfully balances the use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth. The horizontal lines of the wooden deck cut across the composition, anchoring the figures in their setting. The artist uses the verticality of the figures, the doorway and garden elements to offset the horizontal structure. This is a highly stylized depiction, and it is an important piece of Japonisme. The clothing is highly detailed and functions as a semiotic system in which symbols and signs provide deeper cultural meanings about the individuals. Note the use of perspective, which is flattened and stylized. It rejects traditional Western notions of depth. Kunisada offers us a structured yet dreamlike vision. He invites us to look beyond the surface, and consider the interplay between form and representation. This piece highlights the complex artistic and philosophical currents of its time.