The Returning Sails of the Towel Rack 1756 - 1776

"The Returning Sails of the Towel Rack" was created by Suzuki Harunobu around 1768, using woodblock printmaking. The image comes alive through the expert carving of the woodblocks, which allows for the layering of colors to create depth and texture. The warm colors and the composition invite us into a private, intimate world. Two women are depicted in a domestic setting, with one attending to laundry and the other sewing. Look closely, and you’ll notice the white cloth drying on a rack that provides the print with its curious title. Consider the amount of labor involved in making this artwork. Beyond Harunobu's artistry, the process required skilled block cutters and printers, each contributing to the final product. Woodblock printing was a highly developed craft with a long history in Japan, often involving a close collaboration between the artist, the carver, and the printer. This print collapses our conventional notions of art. It’s both a product of fine art, and the expression of a collective craft tradition.