Artwork

Cherry Blossom Viewing at the Temple on Mt. Suribachi after a Design in Volume 5 of Picture Book of the Souvenirs of Edo (Ehon Edo miyage)

Cherry Blossom Viewing at the Temple on Mt. Suribachi after a Design in Volume 5 of Picture Book of the Souvenirs of Edo (Ehon Edo miyage) is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Cherry Blossom Viewing at the Temple on Mt.

About this work

Overview

Cherry Blossom Viewing at the Temple on Mt. Suribachi is a drawing created by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1850, based on a design from Volume 5 of Ehon Edo miyage (Picture Book of the Souvenirs of Edo). It showcases the artist's deviation from traditional ukiyo-e subjects, focusing instead on a serene natural scene.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a tranquil cherry blossom viewing at a temple on Mt. Suribachi, with figures engaged in leisurely activities amidst bare trees and a curved-roof temple on a hill. The scene conveys a sense of calm, capturing a peaceful outing away from urban life.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige employed simple, expressive lines to render multiple figures, emphasizing compositional elegance and atmospheric detail. The overall effect is one of understated serenity, characteristic of his landscape-focused approach.

History & Provenance

Created in 1850 from a design in Ehon Edo miyage (Volume 5), the work's specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.

Context

This piece reflects Hiroshige's innovative contribution to ukiyo-e by prioritizing natural landscapes and everyday life over the genre's typical themes of courtesans and actors, aligning with the broader cultural interest in Edo's surroundings.

Legacy

As part of Hiroshige's oeuvre, the drawing contributes to his reputation for capturing Japan's natural beauty in a unique, serene manner, influencing subsequent artistic movements and remaining a notable example of his work.

Artist & collection

Artist

Utagawa Hiroshige

Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川広重) or Andō Hiroshige (安藤広重), born Andō Tokutarō (安藤徳太郎; 1797 – 12 October 1858), was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist, considered the last great master of that tradition.