Man Behind Sliding Door Pulling the Kimono of a Woman on Verandah c. 1765 - 1770

Editor: This print, "Man Behind Sliding Door Pulling the Kimono of a Woman on Verandah" by Suzuki Harunobu, presents an intimate scene. The woman’s pose seems precarious. What do you see in the composition that stands out? Curator: Note the assertive geometry: horizontals of the veranda clash with verticals of the bamboo screen. The sliding door is a pictorial device, framing and disrupting our view. The disjunctions and dissonances in the picture plane create a powerful tension. Editor: Tension, yes! So, it’s not just a charming scene. Curator: Observe how the artist destabilizes spatial relationships. Do you notice the push and pull between foreground and background, interior and exterior? Editor: Now I see it! It is not as simple as it looks at first glance. Thanks for pointing out the geometry! Curator: Indeed. Harunobu manipulates formal elements to suggest psychological complexity.