Viewing Iris in the Rain - Suzuki Harunobu
Archival giclée
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Description
A refined ukiyo-e woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, depicting two women observing irises during a gentle rain shower.
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 composition. This print depicts two women observing irises during a rain shower. One figure crouches near the water, holding a yellow umbrella to shield herself from the elements, while the second figure stands on the wooden veranda, observing the scene with a broom in hand.
The composition employs a delicate balance between the figures and their environment. Harunobu uses fine, precise lines to define the silhouettes of the women and the linear patterns of their kimono. The rain is rendered through thin, diagonal strokes that cut across the upper portion of the frame, creating a sense of atmosphere without obscuring the subjects. The colour palette remains restrained, relying on soft earth tones, muted yellows, and subtle pinks to convey the damp, quiet mood of a rainy day.
Harunobu focused on the depiction of bijin, or beautiful women, often placing them in domestic or seasonal settings. His work moved away from the more dramatic, theatrical portrayals common in earlier ukiyo-e, favouring a lyrical, gentle aesthetic. The figures here possess a slender, ethereal quality, typical of the artist's mature style. The architectural elements, such as the veranda and the fence, provide a sense of spatial depth, yet the overall effect remains flat and decorative. This print captures a fleeting moment of observation, reflecting the artist's interest in the intersection of human activity and the natural world. The technical mastery of the woodblock process is evident in the registration of the colours and the clarity of the printed lines, which have been preserved through the centuries.
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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
Viewing Iris in the Rain - 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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