Two Fan-Shaped Designs: Uchiwa with Actor Ichikawa DanjÅ«rō 7th as Soga no Gorō in Yanone Scene and Folding-Fan Shape with Iris and Calligraphy c. 1820 - 1823

Curator: This piece, “Two Fan-Shaped Designs” by Utagawa Kunisada, presents two distinct fan motifs on paper. One depicts actor Ichikawa Danjūrō as Soga no Gorō, the other a simpler iris and calligraphy design. What’s your immediate impression? Editor: Stark contrast. The actor's fan feels crowded, performative, while the other's tranquil and subdued. It makes me think about the different roles fans play in society and culture. Curator: Absolutely. Kunisada, active in the 19th century, worked within a well-established printmaking industry. These prints weren’t conceived as individual works of art, but were made for consumption. Editor: I see a subtle commentary on class and leisure. Are these designs meant for different audiences? The actor's image signifies public spectacle and the cult of celebrity, whereas the other gestures towards more private, refined tastes. Curator: That's insightful. The materials themselves would have been relatively accessible, bridging a gap, but the designs perhaps spoke to varied segments of society. Editor: And thinking about the labor involved, these prints speak volumes about the collaborative nature of art production at the time. The artist, the woodblock carvers, the printers – all contributing to the final piece. Curator: Exactly. It reminds us that art is always a product of its social and economic context. Editor: It is fascinating how seemingly simple objects open into a complex web of meanings. Curator: Indeed, it makes one appreciate the intricate layers woven into these everyday objects.