Artwork
Untitled
Untitled 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
Created around 1766, this woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu shows a nocturnal river scene. A small boat glides beneath a full moon, its occupants—one rowing, the other holding a fan—are rendered in delicate ink and color on paper. The composition captures a fleeting, everyday moment with quiet elegance.
Subject & Meaning
The figures in the boat are identified as the poet Bai Juyi, the courtesan Kasamori Osen, and a theatrical performer, linking literary, social, and performing‑arts spheres. Their presence together suggests a narrative of cultural exchange and leisure, emphasizing the harmonious coexistence of poetry, entertainment, and nature.
Technique & Style
Harunabu carved the image into separate wood blocks, applying ink in successive layers to achieve the subtle hues. The moon appears as the untouched paper, allowing its natural tone to serve as the luminous element. Variations in paper absorption mean each impression bears slight differences, a hallmark of Edo‑period ukiyo‑e printing.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to Harunobu’s mid‑career output, a period when he refined multicolored woodblock techniques. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work is typical of the artist’s prolific production for the burgeoning urban market of Edo, where such scenes were widely collected and displayed.
Artist & collection
