Young Nobleman and Carpenter 19th century

This Japanese woodblock print, likely created in the late 18th century by Kubo Shunman, depicts a nobleman observing a carpenter at work. Notice the contrast in their attire: the nobleman’s ornate robes, patterned with chrysanthemums, versus the carpenter’s simpler garb. The chrysanthemum, a symbol of the imperial family and longevity, marks the nobleman’s elevated status. Consider how the motif of the chrysanthemum has traversed cultures, reappearing in various forms from ancient Chinese pottery to European textiles, each time imbued with connotations of power and elegance. The act of observing, too, is a recurring theme. Think of the watchful eyes in Renaissance portraits, or even the modern-day gaze through a camera lens. This reflects a deeply human impulse to understand and assert control over one's surroundings. Here, it embodies the nobleman's command over the carpenter and his trade. It is an enduring image that evokes questions of status and aspiration.