Nieuwjaarsoptreden 1778 - 1782

Torii Kiyonaga created this woodblock print titled "New Year's Performance," now held at the Rijksmuseum. At the heart of this image, we see a man playing a flute, overlooked by several women in what appears to be a performance viewing box. The flute is an ancient instrument, its sound capable of stirring deep emotions. Think of Orpheus, whose lyre could charm even the gods of the underworld, evoking profound feelings of melancholy and desire. Here, the flute's melody is tied to the New Year, a time of renewal and reflection. The act of making music is a symbol of harmony and order. Throughout history, music accompanies religious rituals and civic ceremonies, its emotive power binding communities together. The women listening represent an audience, their presence completing a circle of creative expression. The image resonates with a shared cultural memory, a collective experience of celebration and contemplation, its cyclical nature ingrained in our subconscious.