Parody of Ōta Dōkan (Woman with Branch of Yamabuki) c. 1766 - 1767

Curator: Suzuki Harunobu's "Parody of Ōta Dōkan (Woman with Branch of Yamabuki)," uses woodblock print on paper to depict a woman in a doorway during a rain shower. Editor: There's a delicate melancholy here, a quiet stillness emphasized by the vertical lines of rain and the doorway. Curator: Harunobu’s works, popular amongst the emerging merchant class, often reworked classical themes into contemporary scenes of everyday life. Editor: The artist's precise use of line and color creates a visually striking composition, drawing your eye to the woman's gentle features and the subtle details of her kimono. Curator: Her dress, patterned with irises, provides an insight into the textile production and consumption during the Edo period. Editor: It's interesting how the artist captured such a wealth of detail in such a small format. Curator: Indeed, and considering the print's dimensions, the degree of detail speaks to specialized artistic and labor practices. Editor: It leaves me contemplating the quiet moments of beauty hidden in everyday life. Curator: I am left reflecting on how artists navigate evolving social structures to challenge and re-evaluate conventional artistic themes.