Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by the Baroque artist Suzuki Harunobu. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1750, this woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu presents a quiet domestic scene. A woman in a light‑coloured kimono rests against a pine tree, clutching a woven basket while a diminutive cow grazes nearby. The composition also includes a broom, suggesting everyday household activity within a natural setting.
Subject & Meaning
The work juxtaposes human presence with elements of the landscape—a pine tree, a basket, and a small cow—evoking a sense of harmonious coexistence between daily life and nature. The inclusion of the cow, rendered almost as a pet, hints at an affectionate, perhaps idealised, view of rural simplicity.
Technique & Style
Harunobu employed the emerging nishiki-e method, allowing multiple blocks to apply soft, muted colours over ink outlines. Delicate line work and subtle shading give the figures a gentle, almost ethereal quality, distinguishing the piece from earlier monochrome prints and highlighting the artist’s skill in rendering quiet, intimate moments.
History & Provenance
As an early example of full‑colour woodblock printing, the piece reflects a transitional period in Edo‑period publishing. While the exact ownership trail is unclear, the print is attributed to Harunobu’s prolific output for the ukiyo‑e market, where such scenes were popular among urban audiences seeking refined depictions of everyday life.
Artist & collection
