Diverse huishoudbenodigdheden 1853 - 1856

Editor: We're looking at "Diverse huishoudbenodigdheden," a woodblock print by Utagawa Yoshikazu, dating from around 1853 to 1856. It's currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. At first glance, it's an organized collection of domestic objects, but what strikes me most is its encyclopedic nature. What story does it tell in a broader context? Curator: It's a fascinating print, isn't it? Yoshikazu, working in the late Edo period, was part of a visual culture where prints served various public functions. This isn’t just a collection of items, it's a deliberate presentation reflecting contemporary life. Think of this print as a catalog; it's about visually defining, ordering, and, in a way, selling an idea of domesticity to the public. How does the print communicate social values related to housekeeping and order, and for what audience was it created? Editor: That makes me think about how the rising merchant class influenced ukiyo-e. Was this print also intended to appeal to their aspirations? Curator: Precisely. The late Edo period witnessed the growth of a prosperous merchant class eager to embrace cultural markers. This print not only illustrates household goods, but, as you mentioned, displays desirable symbols of success. What seems to be a simple, well-organized group of items may have symbolized aspirations accessible to these emerging economic powers, as they shaped an artistic market in Japan. Editor: I never thought of it as aspirational. Looking at it now, the choices become more meaningful. Thank you, I've never looked at ukiyo-e in the light of public engagement before. Curator: Exactly, considering the societal context in which it was made unlocks richer layers of significance and can really teach us about the art and public consumption, even now.