Two Young Women on a Verandah 1766 - 1770

Suzuki Harunobu’s woodblock print presents us with two young women on a verandah, their surroundings rich with symbolic meaning. The lantern and pine tree are of particular interest here. The lantern, often used in festivals and ceremonies, signifies guidance and enlightenment, its light cutting through darkness. Yet its association with fleeting moments also hints at the transient nature of beauty and youth. We can trace the lantern’s presence through various eras, from ancient Greek processions with torch-bearers to the ceremonial use of lanterns in diverse cultures. Note also the pine tree, a symbol of resilience and longevity in East Asian art. Often depicted in stark winter landscapes, the pine embodies steadfastness through adversity. Consider how the stoic strength of the pine finds echoes in the oak trees revered by the Celts, each a testament to the human need to find constancy in the face of life's tempests. These symbols resonate with our collective memory, triggering subconscious associations and emotional responses, and engaging us in a perpetual dialogue across time and space.