Badhuis bediende en naakte vrouw 1815 - 1823

This colour woodblock print by Hokusai depicts an intimate scene between a bathhouse servant and a nude woman. The composition and the figures' gestures speak volumes about the complex interplay of desire, power, and vulnerability. Consider the motif of touch. Here, the intertwining of bodies creates a visual language of closeness. Yet, this motif has a long lineage, appearing in ancient depictions of wrestling matches. It’s transformed through time from a symbol of combat to a complex exploration of human connection and sexuality. In Hokusai's hands, this intimate encounter evokes a powerful, subconscious engagement with the viewer. The cyclical nature of symbols, motifs, and gestures, like the ones found in this artwork, remind us that history is not linear. Instead, it is always resurfacing in new forms, taking on new meanings, and engaging with our collective memory in profound ways.