Two Women Collecting Pine Shoots for New Year c. 1765 - 1766

Curator: This is Suzuki Harunobu's "Two Women Collecting Pine Shoots for New Year," currently at the Harvard Art Museums. I find it immediately calming, with its muted palette and gentle lines. Editor: The production process is quite interesting. Harunobu, who lived from 1725 to 1770, revolutionized ukiyo-e printmaking with his use of multiple color blocks, each meticulously carved and aligned. Curator: Absolutely. Note how the composition directs our gaze—the women's posture, the arrangement of the pine branches—all contribute to a sense of serene balance. Editor: Consider the social context: collecting pine shoots was a New Year's tradition, connecting labor and ritual. The materials--the paper, the inks--speak to the cultural values around craft. Curator: Indeed. It evokes a quiet moment, hinting at anticipation for the coming year. Editor: Examining the layers and labor that went into this print encourages a deeper understanding of its time.