Artwork

雪月花武陽金沢八勝夜景|Panorama of the Eight Views of Kanasawa under a Full Moon

雪月花武陽金沢八勝夜景|Panorama of the Eight Views of Kanasawa under a Full Moon is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Accession no.: JP1893
Credit line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929

About this work

Overview

Panorama of the Eight Views of Kanasawa under a Full Moon is a triptych woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige, created in 1857. This late Edo period work features a serene, moonlit cityscape in Kanazawa, characterized by subtle color gradations and meticulous composition.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a peaceful Kanazawa bay under a full moon, with dark green trees, scattered boats, and distant hills with coastal buildings. The scene embodies classical Chinese and Japanese poetic themes, evoking tranquility and natural beauty.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige employed tiny, layered lines to achieve detailed shadows and textures, akin to a layered sketch. This technique imbues the scene with quiet precision. The soft blue sky transitions to lighter tones near the moon, showcasing his nuanced color control.

History & Provenance

Created in 1857 by Utagawa Hiroshige, a prominent ukiyo-e landscape artist known for prioritizing landscapes over figures. Part of a series inspired by classical poetic motifs, reflecting his refined approach to woodblock print composition and color.

Context

This work is part of a broader series by Hiroshige, inspired by traditional poetic themes. It diverges from the typical ukiyo-e focus on human figures, instead emphasizing the serene interplay of nature and light in a Japanese cityscape.

Legacy

As a characteristic example of Hiroshige's later work, Panorama of the Eight Views of Kanasawa under a Full Moon contributes to the enduring influence of ukiyo-e on the representation of landscape and light in Japanese art.

歌川広重画　近江八景之内　石山秋月|Autumn Full Moon at Ishiyama Temple (Ishiyama shūgetsu), from the series Eight Views of Ōmi Province (Ōmi hakkei), 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.