Who painted 萩|The Bush Clover (Hagi)?

萩|The Bush Clover (Hagi) was painted by Suzuki Harunobu in 1766.

Where can I see 萩|The Bush Clover (Hagi)?

萩|The Bush Clover (Hagi) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 萩|The Bush Clover (Hagi)?

萩|The Bush Clover (Hagi) is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

萩|The Bush Clover (Hagi)

Suzuki Harunobu , 1766

萩|The Bush Clover (Hagi) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Suzuki Harunobu. It dates from 1766 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Bush Clover is a woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, created around 1766. It is a small, intricately detailed image featuring a woman and a flowering plant.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a bijin, a beautiful woman, standing beneath a spray of Lespedeza bicolor, or bush clover, wearing a pale blue kimono. The simple composition combines natural and human elements.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink and color on paper, the print showcases Harunobu's use of fine black lines to detail the flowers and fabric. A limited color palette achieves a soft, nuanced effect, suggesting texture and movement.

Context

As part of the ukiyo-e tradition, this print reflects a genre where artists transformed natural motifs into decorative patterns. Such prints were designed to be affordable and accessible for domestic enjoyment.