Artwork

Woman Running Past a Willow Tree in a Breeze

Woman Running Past a Willow Tree in a Breeze, by Suzuki Harunobu, 1766
Woman Running Past a Willow Tree in a Breeze, by Suzuki Harunobu, 1766

Woman Running Past a Willow Tree in a Breeze is a print by the Romanticist artist Suzuki Harunobu. It dates from 1766 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

A woman runs past a willow tree in a breeze.
The scene is serene, with the woman's kimono flowing behind her. This painting shows everyday life in Japan during the Edo period, giving us a glimpse of what people wore and how they interacted with nature.
Check out the work of artist Suzuki Harunobu (Japanese, 1724–1770) to see more scenes like this.

Overview

Woman Running Past a Willow Tree in a Breeze, a 1766 print by Suzuki Harunobu, captures a fleeting moment of everyday life in Edo period Japan, conveying serenity through the interaction of a woman, nature, and subtle movement.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a woman in motion, her kimono billowing behind her, as she passes beneath a willow tree swaying in the breeze. This scene offers a glimpse into the attire and natural interactions of ordinary people during the Edo era.

Technique & Style

While specific technical details of this print are not highlighted, it embodies the characteristic elegance and attention to natural detail of Harunobu's ukiyo-e works, suggesting meticulous woodblock printing techniques to achieve the serene, dynamic scene.

History & Provenance

Created in 1766 by Suzuki Harunobu, the print is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, though the path of its acquisition is not specified here.

Context

This work reflects the ukiyo-e tradition's focus on capturing moments of daily life and the beauty of nature, popular during the Edo period (1603–1867), when such scenes appealed to a growing urban audience.

Legacy

As part of Harunobu's oeuvre, the print contributes to the artist's reputation for depicting serene, everyday moments, influencing subsequent generations of Japanese artists and remaining a window into 18th-century Japanese life.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.