Artwork
東海道五十三次 吉原 左リ富士ノ縄手|Yoshiwara
東海道五十三次 吉原 左リ富士ノ縄手|Yoshiwara is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This woodblock print, titled 'Yoshiwara', is part of Utagawa Hiroshige's 'The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō' series, created around 1838. It is executed in ink and color on paper, characteristic of ukiyo-e prints.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene riverside scene with a horse and rider, two pedestrians, and tall pine trees. The tranquil atmosphere is enhanced by a light blue sky with soft clouds and a damp ground with patches of green and brown.
Technique & Style
Hiroshige employed simple lines and flat colors to create depth in the composition. The use of dark, twisted tree trunks adds texture, while Japanese text along the edges contributes a poetic element.
History & Provenance
The print is held in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, exemplifying Hiroshige's landscape-focused works that expanded the ukiyo-e genre beyond its typical urban entertainment themes.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
