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.
The Actor Segawa Kikunojo II as the Courtesan Umegae - Suzuki Harunobu
Regular price
£28.00 GBP
Sale price
£28.00 GBP
Regular price
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
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Made to order
Description
A refined woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, capturing the kabuki actor Segawa Kikunojo II as the courtesan Umegae in a 1764 theatrical performance.
This woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu depicts the kabuki actor Segawa Kikunojo II in the role of the courtesan Umegae. The scene is drawn from the play Hiragana Seisuiki, which was performed at the Ichimura Theater in Edo during the first month of 1764. 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 demonstrates the technical precision and aesthetic refinement characteristic of his output during this period.
The composition features the actor in a graceful, slightly melancholic pose, holding a small tray. The figure is positioned within an architectural setting, framed by a sliding screen and a blossoming plum tree, which provides a seasonal marker. The artist employs a delicate line quality to define the folds of the kimono and the facial features of the actor, who is portrayed with the slender, ethereal proportions typical of Harunobu's subjects. The colour palette is restrained, relying on soft tones of pink, muted green, and charcoal to create a sense of harmony.
Harunobu's work often focused on the lives of women and actors within the pleasure districts of Edo. By capturing the performative nature of the kabuki stage, this print offers a glimpse into the cultural life of eighteenth-century Japan. The inclusion of calligraphy and the artist's signature further integrates the text and image, a common practice in ukiyo-e production. The print reflects the transition toward more complex printing techniques that defined the mid-Edo period, moving away from the simpler two-colour prints that preceded the nishiki-e innovation. This piece remains a clear example of the artist's ability to balance narrative detail with a highly stylised visual language.
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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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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
Complete The Look
The Actor Segawa Kikunojo II as the Courtesan Umegae - 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.
Made to order
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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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