The Peacock Boat c. 1795 - 1796

Curator: This triptych is titled "The Peacock Boat," crafted around 1795-1796 by Chobunsai Eishi. It's a woodblock print, a quintessential example of Ukiyo-e artistry housed right here at The Art Institute of Chicago. Editor: Wow, "Peacock Boat" is right! My first impression is one of pure fancy—like a daydream spun from silk. Look at that boat’s prow shaped like a majestic peacock. It’s fantastical, the kind of thing that makes you smile instantly. Curator: The work portrays a scene of leisure and refinement. Eishi was known for depicting elegant women of the Yoshiwara district in Edo, and this print exemplifies that. Editor: There’s such grace to each figure; they appear to glide rather than sit. And the expressions! Introspective, maybe a little bored? Is that terrible to say? It’s as though their minds are miles away, even amidst such extravagance. Curator: It’s not terrible at all! That juxtaposition is precisely what made Ukiyo-e prints so compelling. While celebrating beauty, they hinted at the complex realities of women’s lives in that era, often shaped by social expectations and limited opportunities. The patronage system for the arts often constrained artists to specific subject matters to earn income and please audiences. Editor: You know, for something made with woodblocks, the level of detail is astounding. I can almost feel the breeze ruffling their kimono. What about the Peacock? What do we read into it? Curator: Peacocks are symbols of beauty and rank. Attributing it to the women on the boat emphasizes their position in society. The artwork also tells us much about Edo-period aesthetics - where beauty and social critique intertwined subtly. Editor: Knowing all that adds weight to those distant gazes. It shifts my understanding of the work from simple pleasure to a commentary on social position. I guess fairytales are sometimes filled with hard realities. Curator: Indeed. Appreciating art requires looking beyond immediate beauty. Thank you for sharing your interpretations. Editor: The pleasure was all mine, offering insight into a beautiful scene that prompted much reflection.