Surrender of Admiral Ding Ruchang of the Northern (Chinese) Fleet at the Fall of Weihaiwei (Ikaiei kanraku hokuyōkantai teitoku teijoshō kofukuzu) Possibly 1895

Editor: So, here we have Migita Toshihide's "Surrender of Admiral Ding Ruchang," a print depicting a moment of defeat. It's a striking image, but there's a certain stoicism in their postures. What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: The stillness, perhaps? It's as if time itself has surrendered along with the Admiral. The meticulous detail in the uniforms contrasts sharply with the implied chaos of war. I wonder, can we truly capture surrender in a single frame? Is it the end, or a pregnant pause before a new chapter? Editor: That's beautifully put. A pregnant pause... I hadn't considered that. It makes me see the image in a new light. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Art is a mirror, reflecting back not just what is, but what could be, and what might have been.