The Love Letter - Suzuki Harunobu
Archival giclée
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Description
A classic nishiki-e woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, depicting two women sharing a long letter within a traditional Japanese interior.
Suzuki Harunobu is credited with the development of nishiki-e, or brocade prints, which allowed for the use of multiple colours in a single woodblock impression. This work, The Love Letter, displays the technical precision and aesthetic refinement characteristic of his output during the mid-Edo period. The composition features two figures in a domestic interior, a common setting for Harunobu's depictions of daily life and romantic intrigue.
The print utilises a delicate line quality to define the figures, whose slender forms and graceful postures are hallmarks of the artist's style. One figure sits upright, holding a long, unrolled scroll, while the second figure reclines at her feet, also engaged with the text. The interaction between the two women suggests a shared moment of intimacy or shared curiosity regarding the contents of the letter. The architectural elements, such as the shoji screen and the circular window, provide a structured backdrop that balances the flowing lines of the kimonos.
Harunobu's use of colour is restrained yet effective, relying on soft tones that harmonise with the paper's texture. The patterns on the garments are rendered with care, adding visual interest without overwhelming the composition. This print reflects the artist's focus on the ephemeral nature of human emotion and the quiet beauty found in private spaces. By capturing this specific interaction, Harunobu invites the viewer to consider the narrative implications of the scroll, which serves as the primary subject of the scene. The work remains a clear example of the sophisticated printmaking techniques achieved in eighteenth-century Japan, where the collaboration between artist, carver, and printer produced works of exceptional clarity and balance.
Return policy
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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We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
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
The Love Letter - 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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