All night under mosquito net 

Editor: So, this woodblock print is called "All night under mosquito net," attributed to Kitagawa Utamaro. It's a ukiyo-e piece showing what seems to be a group of women in a domestic setting. What strikes me is how intimate the scene feels, almost like we’re intruding on a private moment. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, intruding is perhaps the point! Ukiyo-e often offers glimpses into these "floating world" scenarios. Think of it as peeking behind a screen, accessing something usually unseen. Look at the carefully constructed space within that mosquito net, a world both separate and exposed. The print style emphasizes line and form over Western-style perspective, which almost flattens the space, heightening that feeling of voyeurism. Tell me, what feeling does the woman with the black robe evokes for you? Editor: I find the woman with the black robe quite striking - there is a mysterious element to the robe. The black material is really capturing my eye - a different, darker aesthetic and I think that helps emphasize her power in some ways compared to the other women. Curator: Precisely! Uramaro loved contrasts - using dark and light to draw attention. It almost reads like a stage play. How the figures relate to each other – the casual intimacy alongside the stylized poses – that interplay creates so much meaning. What I find delightful about it, is not the representation of that space, but imagining its fragrance – tatami mats, rice powder, perhaps a hint of jasmine. I bet the texture would be of the highest tactile quality: how the robe feels between our fingers! Editor: I hadn't considered that, it makes me think of the full sensory experience and story the image tells. The cultural context is just as much part of this artwork! Curator: Yes. A reminder that art isn't just about *seeing,* but *feeling* – and imagining. And don't forget this made its way into European circles later, impacting modern artists deeply! Editor: It’s amazing how much more I see now, thinking about it in terms of a fleeting moment, and then expanding beyond just the visual to a sensorial and cross-cultural level. Curator: Indeed! "All night under mosquito net" is a microcosm of beauty, history and subtle human interaction, all encased in this gorgeous, dreamlike world.