['God and Cocks', 'Number Two: God and Cocks'] 1825

Curator: Here we have "God and Cocks", also known as "Number Two: God and Cocks", a fascinating woodblock print crafted around 1825 by Totoya Hokkei. Editor: Well, that title certainly grabs your attention. It has an unsettling energy. The colours are muted, and that central figure is rather imposing. A god looming over those somewhat frightened looking birds perhaps? Curator: That's perceptive. It’s part of the Ukiyo-e tradition, which often explored the transient nature of life and earthly pleasures. Works such as this also held some social commentary about class and behavior through caricature, not often seen in this style of portraiture in Western art practices. Editor: I'm especially drawn to the rooster. Its almost ghost-like depiction stands out from the rest of the woodblock. There seems to be significance placed on this specific bird which makes me curious of the artist's intention for selecting the animal as opposed to any other type of fowl. Curator: Ukiyo-e prints, during this era, did draw influence from popular culture of the time, specifically theater. Hokkei, being an accomplished artist and pupil of Hokusai, likely would have created pieces tailored towards merchant patronage as well as Kabuki clientele. The birds here represent virtues like courage and reliability. Editor: But why that contrast, with this imposing deity figure and somewhat menacing countenance? The symbol clash speaks volumes, doesn’t it? Curator: Indeed. What we observe, then, is how a print from 1825, beyond being merely decorative, can reveal power dynamics and social undercurrents. We can almost grasp some of the artist's life and even that of those who were consumers of Hokkei’s art during the 19th century. Editor: I find myself contemplating how these symbols evolve over time, as well as where these are sourced. These images have power, and cultural longevity is definitely at play. Curator: Absolutely. The dialogues we uncover in art from bygone eras continue to inform us on a grand scale as society progresses.