Woman Admiring Plum Blossoms at Night 1756 - 1770

This is Suzuki Harunobu's woodblock print, "Woman Admiring Plum Blossoms at Night," now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The interplay between light and darkness first captures our attention: the solid black backdrop intensifies the glow of the lantern, the pale blossoms and the moon which altogether create a serene yet subtly dramatic atmosphere. Harunobu masterfully manipulates spatial relationships, placing the woman on a bridge that diagonally cuts into the composition. This not only guides our gaze, but also flattens the perspective. The circular motifs on the woman's kimono echo the blossoms and the moon, creating a visual harmony. Harunobu emphasizes line and shape to structure the composition. The angular lines of the lantern and the bridge contrast with the organic forms of the plum blossoms and the gentle curve of the woman’s figure. Consider how the artist used geometric forms and organic motifs to create a structured yet ethereal composition. The print invites us to consider the relationship between the viewer, the viewed, and the constructed space within the artwork. Art doesn't have one meaning but rather is constantly re-interpreted.