Fire was painted by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1845.

Where can I see Fire?

Fire is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Fire?

Fire is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Fire

Utagawa Hiroshige , 1845

Fire is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Utagawa Hiroshige’s 1845 drawing *Fire* is a preparatory shita‑e created in sumi ink on paper for a fan‑print. The composition captures a riverbank scene where a woman in a wind‑tossed kimono holds a lantern while standing on a boat amid a blaze consuming nearby structures.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays a moment of emergency: flames rise from buildings along the river, another vessel carries fleeing figures, and the central figure’s lantern offers a focal point of light amid the chaos. The juxtaposition of human presence and disaster suggests themes of vulnerability and resilience.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige employs swift, loose brushwork characteristic of ukiyo‑e preparatory sketches. Simple line rendering and cross‑hatching generate depth and texture, while subtle shading conveys the glow of fire reflected in smoke, creating a sense of movement without elaborate detail.

History & Provenance

Created as a preliminary design for a fan print, the drawing reflects Hiroshige’s process of developing larger, colored works. The piece remains a testament to his mid‑career output in the 1840s, a period when he frequently explored urban calamities and everyday life.

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.