Courtier and Lady with a Young Woman Poling a Boat 1796

"Courtier and Lady with a Young Woman Poling a Boat" is a woodblock print by the prominent Japanese artist Kubo Shunman. Created in 1796, the artwork depicts a serene scene of a boat journey. The central figure is a young woman standing in a boat, gracefully maneuvering it with a pole. A courtier and a lady are seated in the boat, dressed in elegant robes. The composition is balanced, with the figures set against a gentle landscape of a river winding through a forested area. Shunman's use of delicate lines and soft colors captures a sense of tranquility and beauty in this scene. The print is a fine example of the *ukiyo-e* genre, which focused on the beauty of everyday life.