Beauty Adjusting her Hairpin c. 1768 - 1769

Curator: Look at this, isn’t it just… soft? Editor: Yes, a delicate scene. This is "Beauty Adjusting her Hairpin," a woodblock print created by Suzuki Harunobu around 1768 or 1769. It's currently held at The Art Institute of Chicago and is a lovely example of ukiyo-e art. The emphasis is on the fleeting moment. Curator: It’s funny, "fleeting" is a perfect word. There's almost a mournful sweetness. Is it just me, or is there a deep well of emotion in such simple compositions? Editor: Well, it is crucial to acknowledge how Harunobu reshaped ukiyo-e. His work appeared during a time of socio-economic changes, as merchant classes grew and disrupted the feudal structures. Harunobu, situating himself in this period, challenged gender norms with his sympathetic portrayal of female subjects and drew influence from earlier traditions like classical poetry to make these gorgeous, emotionally rich prints. Curator: I see the poem now in the woman’s posture. It’s all about line, the flow of her kimono echoing the arc of her arm as she fixes her hairpin. What’s she thinking? Daydreaming perhaps? It all makes me feel slightly nostalgic. Editor: Perhaps reflecting the shifting social roles of women in the Edo period. The details of her dress are a silent language and communicate much about her social position and fashion sensibilities. The work exemplifies a blend of genre painting and intimate portraiture typical of this style. We must remember, such representations, however beautiful, could also reify societal expectations. Curator: It's definitely a potent mix! I do like getting lost in this imagined narrative, especially considering the long history behind these prints. There’s a sense of both profound understanding and unknowability there. Editor: It invites that contemplation. It's beautiful how art from so long ago can resonate so deeply, initiating dialogue, and pushing against conventions.