Vier Japanse meisjes, zittend op de rug gezien c. 1870 - 1900

Curator: This albumen print, created by Kusakabe Kimbei sometime between 1870 and 1900, is titled "Four Japanese Girls, Seen from the Back While Sitting". Editor: There’s a serene quality to the composition, the muted colours lend it an air of quiet contemplation. I’m immediately drawn to the textures – the fabrics look so tactile. Curator: It's an intriguing piece, especially when considering the role of photography in shaping Western perceptions of Japan during the late 19th century. These studio portraits, often hand-coloured, were commodities, circulating globally and contributing to a romanticised, exoticised vision of Japanese women. Editor: I see that, but I'm also captivated by how Kimbei arranged the figures. The placement, the subtle asymmetry, it leads my eye on a gentle, almost musical, journey across the frame. There’s a very clear foreground and the use of space makes it striking. Curator: Indeed. And considering it in the context of Ukiyo-e traditions helps understand how deeply gendered the creation of art really was back then. Editor: Absolutely. It also speaks to the dialogue between photography and painting. Look closely, it has such painterly, staged qualities that one might see in impressionistic work during the same time. Curator: Precisely! It calls to question ideas of representation of marginalised populations back then but simultaneously opens our eyes to the beauty and craft involved in art creation. Editor: I hadn’t quite appreciated all the details, this analysis really transformed how I perceived Kimbei’s work! Curator: Indeed! Studying the photograph under a modern critical lens transforms this vintage albumen print into a narrative around power, image creation, and intercultural interaction!