Artwork
風流七小町|Visiting
風流七小町|Visiting is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Suzuki Harunobu. It dates from 1769 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Suzuki Harunobu’s woodblock print, titled 風流七小町 (Visiting), dates from around 1769. Executed with ink and color on paper, the work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies the delicate aesthetic of mid‑eighteenth‑century Japanese prints.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts two women seated on a low bench within an interior space. Both wear traditional kimono—one in a muted green leaf pattern, the other in a brown fabric adorned with flowers. A small table between them holds a teapot and cups, suggesting a quiet, intimate exchange, perhaps a visit between friends.
Technique & Style
Harunobu employs the nishiki-e (brocade) technique, layering multiple woodblocks to achieve soft, harmonious colors and fine line work. The composition relies on gentle contours and a restrained palette, creating a calm atmosphere that highlights the subtle interaction of the figures.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1769, the print reflects Harunobu’s mature period, when his innovations in color printing were widely admired. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains catalogued as an example of Edo‑period genre imagery.
Artist & collection
