Who painted Woman and Maid Servant?

Woman and Maid Servant was painted by Suzuki Harunobu in 1764.

Where can I see Woman and Maid Servant?

Woman and Maid Servant is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Woman and Maid Servant?

Woman and Maid Servant is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Woman and Maid Servant

Suzuki Harunobu , 1764

Woman and Maid Servant is a print by the Romanticist artist Suzuki Harunobu. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

The woman on the left is wearing a kimono with a long train and is holding a fan.

In this painting, two women are shown. The woman on the left is wearing a kimono with a long train and is holding a fan. She is standing in front of a window with a bird flying outside. The woman on the right is kneeling and holding a box. There is a plant in a pot next to her. The background is a room with a window and a wall. The colors are muted, with shades of brown, beige, and green. The overall atmosphere is peaceful and serene. The painting is a beautiful example of Japanese art from the late 18th century. Check out more works by Suzuki Harunobu.

Overview

Woman and Maid Servant, a print by Suzuki Harunobu (c. 1764), depicts a serene domestic scene featuring two women in a tranquil room. Held in The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, it exemplifies late 18th-century Japanese aesthetics.

Subject & Meaning

The print contrasts two female figures: a woman of higher status, indicated by her long-trained kimono and fan, stands near a window observing a bird in flight, symbolizing freedom or the outside world. Conversely, the kneeling maid servant, accompanied by a plant and holding a box, embodies domestic duty and indoor life.

Technique & Style

Characterized by muted tones of brown, beige, and green, the work showcases Harunobu's restraint in color choice, contributing to its peaceful ambiance. The composition's simplicity and the use of negative space are typical of Japanese printmaking during this period.

History & Provenance

Created around 1764, the print is attributed to Suzuki Harunobu, a prominent figure in Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock printing. Its current location is The Cleveland Museum of Art, though detailed provenance prior to its acquisition is not specified here.

Context

Emerging from the Edo period, this work reflects the growing interest in depicting everyday life, particularly the lives of women, within Japanese art. It also highlights the social stratification of the time through the contrast between the two subjects.

Legacy

As part of Harunobu's oeuvre, Woman and Maid Servant contributes to the broader legacy of ukiyo-e in influencing both Japanese and Western art movements, notably for its serene and intimate portrayal of domestic scenes.