Suzuki Harunobu
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Suzuki Harunobu (鈴木春信) (1724 – 1770) was a Japanese woodblock print artist in the Ukiyo-e style. He was an innovator, the first to produce full-color prints in 1765, rendering obsolete the former modes of two- and three-color prints.
Though some scholars assert that he was originally from Kyoto, much of his work, in particular his early work, is in the Edo style. In the 1760s he was one of the primary producers of images of kabuki actors of Edo, and of similar and related subjects for the Edo print connoisseur market. Often, a patron's name will appear on the print along with, or in place of, Harunobu's own. Though it is not known whether Harunobu was himself of the samurai (noble) class, many of his friends and patrons were, and welcomed him into their circles.
Harunobu is also credited with spurring the creation of the woodblock print calendar in 1765. Calendars of this sort from prior to that year are not unknown but are quite rare, and it is known that Harunobu was close acquaintances or friends with many of the prominent artists and scholars of the period, as well as with several friends of the shogun. Harunobu's calendars and other prints would often be exchanged at Edo gatherings and parties.
Between 1765 and 1770, Harunobu created over twenty illustrated books and several hundred color prints, along with a number of paintings. He used many special techniques, and depicted a wide variety of subjects, from classical poems to contemporary beauties. Like many artists of his day, Harunobu also produced a number of shunga, or erotic images.
See also
Reference
- Waterhouse, David B. "Harunobu." Kodansha Encylopedia of Japan (vol. 3); Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd. 1983.
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