Grouper (Ainame), Rock Cod (Shimadai) and Nandina (Nanten), from the series A Shoal of Fishes (Uo-zukushi) c. 20th century

Editor: This vibrant woodblock print from Hiroshige, titled "Grouper, Rock Cod, and Nandina," showcases two strikingly different fish. The upper one, particularly, grabs my attention with its bold, graphic stripes. What do you see in the way the artist has composed this image? Curator: Indeed. Note how the artist employs a restricted palette, relying on tonal variations to define form and texture. Consider, too, the interplay between the rectilinear patterns of the fish and the organic lines of the nandina. Do you perceive a deliberate tension in this contrast? Editor: I do. The rigid stripes against the soft foliage create a dynamic visual relationship. I also notice that the red at the top draws my eyes upward. Curator: Precisely. The artist masterfully manipulates formal elements to guide the viewer's gaze and evoke a distinct aesthetic experience. It’s the subtle equilibrium of line and color, form and space, that elevates this work. Editor: I see that now. I'll definitely be looking closer at composition in prints from now on. Thanks!