The Courtesans, from the series, "Seiro Bijin Awase Carver End Shigoro" (sic)
Original title: The Courtesans, from the series, "Seiro Bijin Awase Carver End Shigoro" (sic)
kurzbeschreibung
Suzuki Harunobu created 'The Courtesans' around 1765 as part of the series 'Seiro Bijin Awase'. This woodblock print in ink and color on paper shows a single woman in traditional Japanese dress. She holds a fan and gazes to the left.
Description
A woman in a kimono appears with her hair styled high and adorned with a hair ornament. In her left hand she holds a fan; her expression is calm and pensive. The background remains empty, and the layout focuses entirely on the figure. The palette is muted, with nuances of brown, orange, and gray. Light falls evenly without visible shadows, and the linework stays clear and precise.
Context
Suzuki Harunobu ranks among the major ukiyo-e artists of the eighteenth century and is known for his multicolor woodblock prints (nishiki-e). This sheet belongs to a series depicting courtesans—a common subject in ukiyo-e. The series 'Seiro Bijin Awase' portrays women from the Yoshiwara pleasure district in Edo, present-day Tokyo.
Impact
The woman's quiet, thoughtful pose creates an intimate and still mood. The subdued colors and clear arrangement draw the eye to the elegance of the figure.
Technique
The print was executed as a woodblock print (ukiyo-e) in ink and color on paper. The multicolor woodblock technique, known as nishiki-e, allowed for fine gradations and details, as seen in the patterns of the kimono fabric.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)