Item from the Mokuhankan Flea Market

Woman in Rain

Size: 30.0cm by 21.0cm (11.81 in by 8.27 in) | Enlargement | Shipping Code: [L] ?

Designer: Suzuki Harunobu

Era: Post-war | Currency: $ / £ / €

Price: ¥ 8,000$ 58.00£ 45.50€ 53.25 [Item has been sold]

Description: This print depicts a young woman caught in the middle of a sudden evening downpour. Part of a red Torii gate and several pine trees in the background complete the scene. Although intended to depict a day of very bad weather - the tree branches are whipping in the wind, and her umbrella is broken - she seems to be curiously insulated from all this ... Despite the heavy rain, she remains calm, almost as if she is enjoying the moment. Gracefully holding a paper lantern in one hand, she projects an air of serenity that contrasts with the violence of the weather.

It is interesting how Harunobu illustrates the heavy rain through oblique symmetrical lines. Although the wind itself is invisible, its force is clearly suggested by the direction of the rain, the swaying pine branches, the lantern, and the movement of the woman's kimono, all swept toward one side. These elements combine to create a vivid impression of motion.

Harunobu is known as the first artist to produce full-color prints (nishiki-e) in 1765 rendering obsolete the former modes of two- and three-color prints. The vibrant palette employed here exemplifies this innovation: rich reds and purples dominate the composition.

This print is a post-war reproduction by Takamizawa Company.

This print is a post-war reproduction by Takamizawa Company.

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