Fine Art Poster
From £28
A giclée print on 200gsm matte fine art paper, using a twelve-colour process for accurate, fade-resistant colour. Supplied unframed, delivered flat or rolled.
Calendar: Courtesan with Shōki the Demon Queller - Suzuki Harunobu
Regular price
£28.00 GBP
Sale price
£28.00 GBP
Regular price
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
Secure checkout
Made to order
Description
A refined ukiyo-e woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, featuring a graceful courtesan alongside the mythological figure of Shōki, designed as a decorative lunar calendar.
This woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu depicts a juxtaposition between the elegant world of the Yoshiwara pleasure district and the mythological realm of Chinese folklore. The central figure is a courtesan, rendered with the slender, graceful proportions characteristic of Harunobu's work. She stands in a contemplative pose, her kimono adorned with subtle geometric patterns. At her feet, a diminutive figure of Shōki, the legendary demon queller, appears to be performing a task or perhaps acting as a playful accessory to the scene.
Harunobu is credited with the development of nishiki-e, or brocade prints, which allowed for the use of multiple colours in a single composition. This work functions as a calendar, or egoyomi, where the dates of the lunar months are cleverly integrated into the design of the courtesan's clothing. Such prints were often commissioned by groups of poetry enthusiasts who would exchange these artistic calendars at the start of the year. The composition relies on a flat, decorative arrangement of space, typical of the mid-Edo period aesthetic. The background, featuring simple architectural lines of a room, provides a neutral setting that allows the figures to occupy the visual field without distraction. The muted palette, dominated by soft ochres, greys, and pale tones, reflects the sophisticated taste of the urban merchant class for whom these prints were produced. By blending the mundane activity of a courtesan with the presence of a supernatural protector, Harunobu creates a narrative that is both whimsical and technically precise. The print serves as a record of the intersection between private social customs and the high art of the woodblock medium during the eighteenth century.
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.
Shipping
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.
Complete The Look
Calendar: Courtesan with Shōki the Demon Queller - Suzuki Harunobu
Regular price
From £28.00 GBP
Sale price
From £28.00 GBP
Regular price
Fine Art Poster / A4 (21x29.7 cm) / -
Artist Biography
Suzuki Harunobu
Suzuki Harunobu did not start his career with the full palette of colours for which he is now known. His early work consisted of simple two-colour prints and mizu-e, or water pictures, which used coloured key blocks instead of black to create a pale appearance. His transition occurred in 1765 when he collaborated with private poetry clubs to produce egoyomi, which were pictorial calendars. These commissions allowed him to use the expensive pigments and heavy paper that defined nishiki-e, or brocade pictures.
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.
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.
Our Features
Designed for Lasting Impact
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
Made to order
Choose your finish
Every piece is printed to order. These are the five finishes, and what makes each one different.
Fine Art Framed
From £45
The same fine art print in a solid wood frame with UV-protective acrylic glaze and rigid backing. Five frame colours. Arrives ready to hang.
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Museum-Quality Materials
Artist Biography
Suzuki Harunobu
Suzuki Harunobu did not start his career with the full palette of colours for which he is now known. His early work consisted of simple two-colour prints and mizu-e, or water pictures, which used coloured key blocks instead of black to create a pale appearance. His transition occurred in 1765 when he collaborated with private poetry clubs to produce egoyomi, which were pictorial calendars. These commissions allowed him to use the expensive pigments and heavy paper that defined nishiki-e, or brocade pictures.
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.
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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