DISCOVERART

Suzuki Harunobu

Searching for Fireflies

1768
Color woodblock print, chūban
28.2 × 20.3 cm (11.1 × 8 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

In this print, the complete absence of shadows or shading is a sign that the artist had not yet captured or become interested in the nuances of realistically presenting scenes set at specific times of day or night. The standing girl holds a lantern while the other one kneels by a cage for the fireflies.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Suzuki Harunobu

The Evening Mistress at Ueno (Ueno no bansho), from the series "Eight Fashionable Views of Edo (Furyu Edo hakkei)"The Evening Mistress at Ueno (Ueno no bansho), from the seriTwo LoversTwo LoversArtworkUntitledArtworkUntitledPausing to admire Mt. Fuji (parody of Ariwara no Narihira's journey to the east)Pausing to admire Mt. Fuji (parody of Ariwara no Narihira's Benevolence, from The Five VirtuesBenevolence, from The Five VirtuesAutumn Moon in the Mirror (Kyodai no shugetsu), from the series "Eight Views of the Parlor (Zashiki hakkei)"Autumn Moon in the Mirror (Kyodai no shugetsu), from the serWatching the GameWatching the Game

More like this

Lovers Dressed as Komuso Monks in an Autumn LandscapeKatsukawa Shunsho — Lovers Dressed as Komuso Monks in an AutCourting Komachi (Kayoi Komachi), from the series Seven Fashionable Figures of Ono no Komachi (Furyu nana Komachi yatushi sugata-e)Utagawa Toyokuni I — Courting Komachi (Kayoi Komachi), from Shingen and Kenshin, from the series "Mirrors of Warriors in Fashionable Parodies (Furyu yatsushi musha kagami)"Isoda Koryusai — Shingen and Kenshin, from the series "Mirro鈴木春信画　夜の梅|Woman Admiring Plum Blossoms at NightSuzuki Harunobu 鈴木春信 — 鈴木春信画　夜の梅|Woman Admiring Plum BlossomThe Hagi Jewel River, from an untitled series of Six Jewel RiversShiba Kokan — The Hagi Jewel River, from an untitled series The Merchant (Sho) from the series Beauties Illustrating the Four Social Classes (Adesugata shi no ko sho)Torii Kiyonaga — The Merchant (Sho) from the series BeautiesMiyato of the Kadotamaya, from the series "Models for Fashion: New Designs as Fresh as Young Leaves (Hinagata wakana no hatsu moyo)"Isoda Koryusai — Miyato of the Kadotamaya, from the series "Geese Descending in Mid Autumn (Seishu no rakugan), from the series "Eight Scenes of the Four Seasons (Shiki hakkei)"Torii Kiyonaga — Geese Descending in Mid Autumn (Seishu no rReturning Sails at Ryogoku River (Ryogoku no kihan), from the series "Eight Parodies by Contemporary Beauties (Tosei mitate bijin hakkei)"Kitao Shigemasa — Returning Sails at Ryogoku River (Ryogoku Young Couple Enjoying the Cool of EveningShiba Kokan — Young Couple Enjoying the Cool of EveningThe Courtesan Somenosuke of the Matsubaya House, from the series "Fuji-bumi (Folded Love-letters)"Ippitsusai Buncho — The Courtesan Somenosuke of the MatsubayThe Day of Starting (Kotohajime), from the series "The Fashionable Five Days of Starting (Furyu go kotohajime)"Isoda Koryusai — The Day of Starting (Kotohajime), from the