Woman Standing by Verandah, Smoking Pipe - Suzuki Harunobu
Archival giclée
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Description
A refined woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, depicting a woman with a pipe in a quiet domestic setting, rendered in the delicate nishiki-e style.
This woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu depicts a woman in a moment of quiet domesticity. She stands upon a wooden verandah, holding a long-stemmed kiseru pipe. Her posture is relaxed, and her gaze is directed away from the viewer, suggesting a private contemplation. Beside her, a small brazier holds a kettle, while a potted plant sits nearby, grounding the figure within a domestic setting.
Harunobu is credited with the development of nishiki-e, or brocade prints, which allowed for the use of multiple colours in a single image. This work demonstrates his characteristic approach to figure composition, featuring slender, elongated proportions and a delicate use of line. The colour palette is restrained, relying on soft tones that harmonise with the paper texture. The inclusion of a cloud-shaped cartouche containing calligraphy adds a literary dimension to the visual narrative, a common feature in prints of the Edo period.
The composition balances the figure against the architectural elements of the verandah and the objects of daily life. Harunobu avoids heavy shading, preferring flat areas of colour that define the forms of the kimono and the surrounding space. This print captures the aesthetic sensibilities of the mid-eighteenth century, where the focus shifted toward the grace and refinement of the subjects. The print serves as an example of the technical precision achieved by the carvers and printers who collaborated with Harunobu to produce these multi-coloured works. The subtle interplay between the figure and the surrounding environment creates a sense of stillness, inviting the viewer to observe the details of the costume and the quiet atmosphere of the scene.
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
Woman Standing by Verandah, Smoking Pipe - 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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