The Hobby Horse c. 1767 - 1768

Curator: Suzuki Harunobu's woodblock print, "The Hobby Horse," circa 1767, depicts a scene imbued with elegance and subtle storytelling. What strikes you about it? Editor: The paper has such a delicate feel, almost like silk, and the pastel colors contribute to a sense of fleeting beauty. The lines seem intentionally fragile, as if daring us to look closer before it vanishes. Curator: Indeed. The pastel shades and graceful lines are hallmarks of Harunobu's *nishiki-e* style, a type of multi-colored printmaking. Look at how he orchestrates a seemingly simple domestic scene into something profound. The child dressed in elaborate clothing riding the toy horse is echoed by the thoughtful presence of the woman, possibly a high ranking courtesan, who shields them both with the parasol. Editor: This refined world emerges through laborious, meticulous work, layering different carved blocks, each demanding specific inks, careful pressure, a deep collaboration between the artist, carver, and printer. Think about the social layers inherent: artists catering to elites, artisans performing manual tasks for widespread dissemination and wealthy consumption... Curator: Precisely. Consider the Hobby Horse itself; throughout various eras and cultures, the image represents nobility and aristocracy, even militaristic might, transforming these characteristics to childish game is also quite intriguing. This print seems to reflect a deeper contemplation on social hierarchies and inherited status. It poses a question: What is play for those in privileged places? Editor: I keep coming back to the materiality. This wasn't mass production; there's an artistry to each print's particular pressure, slight color variation, how much the woodblock itself degrades with each strike. This labor isn't mechanical or easily repeatable, and this impacts value! Curator: I agree completely! It encapsulates a vision of fleeting beauty tinged with melancholic awareness of societal norms and symbolic resonance, the hobby horse bearing all this weight on its fragile frame. Editor: Beautifully put. The weight of the image is not just symbolic or psychological, but quite literal: in the physical exertion required for its production.