Writing a Love Letter in Bed - Suzuki Harunobu
Archival giclée
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Description
A refined nishiki-e woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, depicting a woman composing a letter within a serene, patterned domestic interior.
Suzuki Harunobu was a pioneer of the nishiki-e, or brocade print, which introduced full-colour printing to the ukiyo-e tradition. This work depicts a woman in a private domestic setting, engaged in the act of composing a letter. The composition relies on the flat planes and clean lines characteristic of the mid-Edo period, focusing on the quietude of the subject rather than dramatic action.
The figure is positioned on a futon, surrounded by elements of a traditional interior: a folding screen with a geometric pattern, a paper lantern, and sliding doors decorated with bamboo motifs. Harunobu uses a delicate colour palette, favouring soft pinks, muted greens, and charcoal tones. The artist captures the subject in a moment of introspection, her posture suggesting concentration as she holds the brush and paper. The spatial arrangement is deliberately compressed, drawing the viewer into the intimacy of the room.
Harunobu is recognised for his slender, ethereal figures, often referred to as 'doll-like' in their grace. His work moved away from the more robust depictions of actors or courtesans common in earlier prints, favouring a more lyrical and poetic approach to daily life. The use of multiple woodblocks allowed for the subtle layering of colour, which is evident in the textile patterns of the woman's kimono and the surrounding furnishings. This print provides a window into the aesthetic values of the period, where the beauty of everyday objects and the quiet moments of personal life were elevated to subjects of artistic merit. The balance between the patterned surfaces and the negative space demonstrates the technical precision achieved by the carvers and printers who collaborated with Harunobu to produce these refined images.
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
Writing a Love Letter in Bed - 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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