Evening Bell of the Clock - Suzuki Harunobu
Archival giclée
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Description
A refined woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu from the Eight Parlor Views series, depicting two women in a quiet domestic interior.
This woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu belongs to the series Eight Parlor Views (Zashiki hakkei), a clever domestic adaptation of the traditional Eight Views of Xiao and Xiang theme. Harunobu replaces the classic Chinese landscapes with scenes of daily life in Edo-period Japan. In this composition, two women are depicted within a domestic interior, their postures suggesting a quiet, contemplative moment. The presence of a clock on the left provides the thematic link to the title, referencing the evening bell that would signal the end of the day.
Harunobu is credited with the development of nishiki-e, or brocade prints, which allowed for the use of multiple colour blocks to create a more sophisticated palette. This print demonstrates his mastery of the medium, utilising soft, muted tones to define the textiles and the architectural elements of the room. The figures are rendered with the slender, graceful proportions characteristic of his work, their kimonos decorated with subtle patterns that add texture to the flat composition. The sliding shoji screen and the glimpse of bamboo outside establish a sense of place, grounding the figures in a serene, private environment.
The composition is balanced through the placement of the two women, who are positioned to lead the eye across the frame. The use of negative space and the clean lines of the interior architecture reflect the aesthetic sensibilities of the period, where simplicity and elegance were highly valued. By transposing the grand themes of classical poetry into the intimate setting of a parlour, Harunobu invites the viewer to find beauty in the mundane. This print offers a glimpse into the refined lifestyle of the urban elite in eighteenth-century Japan, captured through the precise and delicate technique of the woodblock printer.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Evening Bell of the Clock - Suzuki Harunobu
Artist Biography
Suzuki Harunobu
Harunobu moved away from the stiff portraits of kabuki actors common in his era. He preferred to depict young women in their daily lives, often using an elevated viewpoint to look into private spaces. His series Zashiki hakkei, or Eight Parlour Views, provides a clear example of his method. He took classical Chinese themes and reimagined them as domestic scenes. A temple bell might become a chiming clock. A distant storm is represented by a woman drying herself after a bath.
Modern collectors value these prints for their quiet atmosphere and precise compositions. Harunobu avoided the aggressive energy of later ukiyo-e artists. He chose instead to focus on slender figures and soft colour harmonies. His work captures specific moments of leisure, such as playing cat's cradle or walking by the shore. These scenes offer a calm window into eighteenth-century Japan. They remain popular because they balance historical detail with a clean, graphic sensibility that suits contemporary interiors.
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