Laken wassende vrouw

About this artwork

kleurenhoutsnede; lijnblok in zwart met kleurblokken

Art Historical Context

Suzuki Harunobu's *Laken wassende vrouw*ca. 1765–1770) is a delicate color wood print, measuring 274 × 200 mm, exempl the ukiyo-e tradition of Japan's Edo period. Harunobu (1725–1770), a master of the "pictures of the floating world," pioneered full-color woodblock printing (nishiki-e) 1765, transforming single-color techniques into vibrant, multi-hued masterpieces. This print a classic process: a black line block for precise outlines, overlaid with separate color blocks to layer subtle pigments, creating a luminous effect on washi paper. The title, translating roughly to "Woman Washing Linen...

About the Artist

Suzuki Harunobu · 1725–1770

Suzuki Harunobu (c. 1725-1770) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist who revolutionized woodblock printing by developing nishiki-e—full-color prints using multiple woodblocks—in 1765. Before Harunobu, Japanese prints were limited to two or three colors; his innovation unleashed the entire artist's palette, transforming ukiyo-e into the vibrant art form that would later captivate Western artists from Manet...