Pinks: nurse and baby, from an untitled series of beauties and flowers 1812

Utagawa Toyokuni I created this woodblock print, "Pinks: nurse and baby," in Japan, likely in the early 19th century. This artwork comes from a series titled "Beauties and Flowers," and beautifully captures the interweaving of human life with the natural world, a common theme in Japanese art. Looking closer, we see a woman, presumably a wet nurse, carrying a child. The image creates meaning through visual codes; the floral motifs on the nurse's kimono may allude to certain seasons or sentiments, referencing a sophisticated visual language understood by the print's original audience. During this Edo period, there were rigid social structures in place and institutions for women to become wet nurses. Toyokuni and other artists in the Ukiyo-e tradition created works for a broad urban audience, and such prints offer glimpses into contemporary social roles. Historical archives, diaries, and other prints can provide crucial context here. Appreciating art like this involves understanding its complex relationship with Japanese culture and society.