Description
“100 Beauties: Suzuki Harunobu” by Andrew Forbes and David Henley showcases the work of a master ukiyo-e artist. Suzuki Harunobu (c. 1725–1770) was a celebrated Japanese woodblock print designer. He became known as an innovator during 18th-century Edo, now Tokyo. This collection focuses on his specialty: bijin-ga, or pictures of beautiful women.
Technical Innovation
Harunobu achieved fame for inventing full-color prints called nishiki-e in 1765. Before this, most prints used only two or three colors. Consequently, he needed to use many separate woodblocks to apply each color perfectly. The use of more expensive colors and thick application created opaque, rich effects. His technical genius revolutionized the art of Japanese printmaking.
- He introduced the nishiki-e (brocade picture).
- He used multiple blocks for complex color registration.
- He chose better woods, like cherry, for blocks.
Style and Subject
Harunobu’s personal style is highly recognizable. His figures, often thin and light, represent young girls or women in elegant poses. Furthermore, his works are rich with cultural allusions and subtle humor. They often depict beautiful women in scenes of daily life or the Yoshiwara pleasure district. This book examines his life and art, showing 100 striking examples of his enchanting “beauties.”
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