Two Young People 1725 - 1770

Suzuki Harunobu made this woodblock print, entitled 'Two Young People,' in Japan during the 1760s. In this period, the Tokugawa shogunate maintained a rigid social hierarchy. Woodblock prints like this one offered a window into the pleasure districts of Edo (now Tokyo), depicting courtesans and samurai in moments of leisure. Harunobu's work is particularly known for its refined style and portrayal of youthful beauty, moving away from earlier depictions of powerful or idealized figures. Here, two women, possibly courtesans, are shown in an intimate setting, one perched in a tree. The scene is quiet and contemplative, far from the bustling city, inviting a sense of escapism. Understanding the artistic and social history of prints like these requires looking into government regulations, the economics of the woodblock industry, and the cultural values that elevated or denigrated certain subjects. By studying these factors, we can better appreciate the complex interplay between art and society in 18th-century Japan.