Suzuki Harunobu (1725-1770) - Lot 1

Lot n° 1
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4500 - 5500 EUR
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Result : 10 758EUR
Suzuki Harunobu (1725-1770) - Lot 1
Suzuki Harunobu (1725-1770) Chuban tate-e, Woman burning a letter. Signed Harunobu ga. Circa 1765-1770. Dim. 27.5 x 20.9 cm Kneeling on the tatami of her personal quarters, an oiran burns love letters in a large bronze incense cauldron. She is clearly of high rank, judging by the large three-layer futon behind her. As she watches the smoke rise, the apparition of her lover takes shape. This scene refers to a famous story from the Chinese Han dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD), in which Emperor Wu (156-87 BC), suffering from the terrible grief caused by the death of his favorite concubine, Lady Li, procured a magic incense which, when burned, allowed the young woman's spirit to form in the smoke. In this modernized parody of Harunobu, gender roles are reversed, as is common in ukiyo-e. The properly cultured city-dweller of the time immediately understood the reference. References This print was featured in the exhibition The Riddles of Ukiyo-e. Women and Men in Japanese Prints 1765-1865, Japan Museum SieboldHuis, Leiden, 2023. Reproduced in the exhibition catalog, pp. 32-33
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