Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by the Baroque artist Suzuki Harunobu. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1760, this woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu presents a brief, everyday scene rendered in ink and color on paper. The composition centers on a woman in a vivid kimono, sheltering herself with a paper umbrella while standing on wet ground, accompanied by two partially concealed girls.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a fleeting moment of urban life, featuring a kamuro (a young attendant), a chōchin (paper lantern), and a pair of wooden geta sandals. The figures are caught in a rainy atmosphere, suggesting a quiet pause amid the bustle of the streets.
Technique & Style
Harunobu employed multiple carved blocks, each dedicated to a single hue, to achieve the delicate palette of pinks, blues, and greens. The precise line work and subtle color layering exemplify the ukiyo-e tradition of the mid‑eighteenth century.
History & Provenance
Produced for a broad audience rather than elite collectors, the print reflects Harunobu’s aim to bring art into the daily lives of common people. Its survival in museum collections attests to the durability of the woodblock medium and the continued interest in Edo‑period popular prints.
Context
The work belongs to a period when ukiyo-e artists increasingly depicted ordinary scenes, moving beyond the earlier focus on courtesans and actors. The inclusion of everyday objects such as umbrellas and geta underscores the shift toward representing the lived experience of Edo’s urban residents.
Artist & collection
