Who painted すだれ貝|The Curtain Clam?

すだれ貝|The Curtain Clam was painted by Suzuki Harunobu in 1748.

Where can I see すだれ貝|The Curtain Clam?

すだれ貝|The Curtain Clam is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is すだれ貝|The Curtain Clam?

すだれ貝|The Curtain Clam is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

すだれ貝|The Curtain Clam

Suzuki Harunobu , 1748

すだれ貝|The Curtain Clam is an ink print by the Baroque artist Suzuki Harunobu. It dates from 1748 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Suzuki Harunobu’s 1748 woodblock print, titled *The Curtain Clam*, presents a solitary beach scene. A woman in a pale kimono leans to gather a clam from the sand, while a soft pink sky and faint blue wave lines frame the composition.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures a moment of quiet domestic activity, emphasizing the delicate interaction between the figure and the shoreline. The act of collecting a clam suggests themes of seasonal labor and the subtle beauty of everyday life in Edo‑period Japan.

Technique & Style

Created as one of the earliest examples of nishiki‑e, the work employs multiple woodblocks to achieve a full‑color palette. Harunobu’s application of ink and pigment yields a light, almost watercolor‑like quality, distinguishing it from earlier monochrome or hand‑colored prints.

History & Provenance

Produced in 1748, the print belongs to the early phase of Harunobu’s career, when he pioneered the use of vibrant, layered colors in ukiyo‑e. It reflects the transition in Japanese printmaking from limited tonal schemes to the richly colored nishiki‑e technique.