Woman Standing beside a Mosquito Net Reading a Letter c. 1768 - 1769

This woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, titled *Woman Standing Beside a Mosquito Net Reading a Letter*, depicts a woman in a kimono, standing beside a mosquito net. The scene is set in a domestic interior, as indicated by the simple, minimalist background, and the woman’s casual posture. The woman's gaze is directed downward as she carefully reads a love letter. Harunobu, one of the leading artists of the *ukiyo-e* movement, captured the beauty and elegance of Japanese women in this piece. *Ukiyo-e*, meaning "pictures of the floating world", were popular prints in Japan, often portraying scenes of everyday life, theater, and beautiful women. The artwork, now at The Art Institute of Chicago, is a testament to Harunobu's mastery of woodblock printing.