Artist signing a screen, no. 1 from the series of 12 prints c. 1708

This woodblock print, "Artist Signing a Screen, no. 1," from a series of twelve by Okumura Masanobu, exemplifies the artist's mastery of ukiyo-e, a genre popular in Edo-period Japan. The image depicts three figures in a domestic setting, with the artist himself signing a screen in the center, surrounded by two patrons. Masanobu, known for his elegant linework and detailed depictions of daily life, captures the intimate and playful atmosphere of this scene with delicate strokes and subtle shading. This print, now in the collection of The Art Institute of Chicago, showcases Masanobu's role as both artist and observer within the social scene of Edo society.