Discovering the Address of a Husband's Lover, from the series "A Collection of Humorous Poems (Haifu yanagidaru)" c. 1790

Curator: This is "Discovering the Address of a Husband's Lover" by Torii Kiyonaga, made around 1790. It's a woodblock print, part of a series called "A Collection of Humorous Poems." You can find it here at the Art Institute of Chicago. Editor: My goodness, what a charged atmosphere! It’s subtle, yet I sense all sorts of simmering emotions. There's tension in the air; a woman is watching, spying, and I am curious what story could unravel from that. Curator: The title tells a lot, doesn't it? Kiyonaga, known for his elegant figures, here depicts a scene laden with social implications. Prints like these offered glimpses into the lives of women in the Edo period, often censored or idealized elsewhere. We see complex relationships portrayed in such works. Editor: Complex is right. Look at how composed the women appear on the surface! Especially the one writing—seemingly so absorbed. It’s like watching a play where the most dramatic moments are communicated through gestures and averted glances. I wonder if they suspected a mistress would write down their street on an envelope? Curator: It highlights how even everyday scenes become stages for social performances. Kiyonaga was brilliant at capturing this duality: public appearances versus private realities. Ukiyo-e prints played an important role in circulating information. Editor: Exactly. Art becoming a conduit of… juicy gossip, perhaps? I am more concerned with the fact that, beyond its voyeuristic appeal, the print makes you consider how precarious a woman’s position may have been back then. Also, as a creative gesture, can we admire the graphic reduction? Curator: That's definitely Kiyonaga's mastery, portraying intimate dramas within a rigid social context. Consider the print’s role in depicting social mores and providing insights into a society undergoing immense transformation at that time. Editor: It feels so strangely modern despite being centuries old. All in all, that is what I like most of it! That, despite the date, the drama has the pulse of a contemporary piece of theatre. Curator: And its appeal endures, offering viewers a chance to ponder upon complex realities portrayed. Thank you for lending a unique eye and allowing new interpretations of the artwork. Editor: Always a pleasure. Perspectives give everything their spice.