Who painted 歌川広重画雪中芦に鴨|Mallard Ducks and Snow-covered Reeds?

歌川広重画雪中芦に鴨|Mallard Ducks and Snow-covered Reeds was painted by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1843.

Where can I see 歌川広重画雪中芦に鴨|Mallard Ducks and Snow-covered Reeds?

歌川広重画雪中芦に鴨|Mallard Ducks and Snow-covered Reeds is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 歌川広重画雪中芦に鴨|Mallard Ducks and Snow-covered Reeds?

歌川広重画雪中芦に鴨|Mallard Ducks and Snow-covered Reeds is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

歌川広重画雪中芦に鴨|Mallard Ducks and Snow-covered Reeds

Utagawa Hiroshige , 1843

歌川広重画雪中芦に鴨|Mallard Ducks and Snow-covered Reeds is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1843 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Accession no.: JP1895
Credit line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929

About this work

Overview

Mallard Ducks and Snow-covered Reeds is a woodblock print created by Utagawa Hiroshige around 1843, deviating from the typical urban themes of ukiyo-e by depicting a serene natural scene.

Subject & Meaning

The print features two mallard ducks in a winter setting, surrounded by snow-covered reeds. One duck is viewed from above with an open beak, as if calling, while the other is seen from the side, facing right, also with an open beak. The composition conveys a sense of calm.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige's skill in capturing textures is evident in the intricately detailed feathers of the ducks and the precise rendering of the reeds, with delicate lines adding depth. A soft blue background enhances the serene atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, this work is characteristic of Hiroshige's landscape-focused ukiyo-e, differing from his more renowned series like The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō and One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.

Context

Created during the Edo period, this piece reflects Hiroshige's contribution to ukiyo-e, a genre predominantly associated with urban life and entertainment, by instead highlighting natural beauty.

Legacy

As a lesser-known work by Hiroshige, Mallard Ducks and Snow-covered Reeds showcases his versatility and attention to natural detail, contributing to his broader reputation as a leading Edo period artist.

歌川広重画　雪中芦に鴨|Mallard and Snow-covered Reeds, Utagawa Hiroshige

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.