Hoofdstuk 14 1847 - 1850

This color woodblock print, “Chapter 14”, was created by Utagawa Kunisada in Japan. Kunisada made a name for himself in the Ukiyo-e style, which translates as “pictures of the floating world”. It depicts scenes of everyday life and entertainment during the Edo period. Here, we see a multi-level interior space, featuring figures in traditional robes. The composition and perspective provide insight into the architectural conventions of the time. The artist uses visual codes to convey social status through dress and setting. Elements such as the well, the sandals by the stairs, and even the bonsai plant are carefully chosen to situate the image culturally. Prints like this were not simply decorative. They played an important role in shaping cultural values and beliefs. The historian analyzes this kind of work in the context of social and institutional forces, using resources like period documents, literature, and other visual media to understand it better. The meaning of art is contingent on its social context.