Who painted 木曽海道六拾九次之内あし田|Ashida Station?

木曽海道六拾九次之内あし田|Ashida Station was painted by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1836.

Where can I see 木曽海道六拾九次之内あし田|Ashida Station?

木曽海道六拾九次之内あし田|Ashida Station is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 木曽海道六拾九次之内あし田|Ashida Station?

木曽海道六拾九次之内あし田|Ashida Station is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

木曽海道六拾九次之内あし田|Ashida Station

Utagawa Hiroshige , 1836

木曽海道六拾九次之内あし田|Ashida Station is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Ashida Station is a woodblock print created by Utagawa Hiroshige around 1836, as part of The Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaidō series. Executed in ink and color on paper, it exemplifies Hiroshige's deviation from traditional ukiyo-e subjects, instead focusing on landscapes along ancient travel routes.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene scene along the Kisokaidō road, featuring a winding river path lined with tall black trees, travelers on foot, a distant mountain under a blue sky, and a hilltop village. The composition captures a moment of everyday life along a historic route.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige employed traditional woodblock print techniques, combining soft, muted colors (greens, blues, muted pinks) with bold elements, such as the black trees and a red stamp identifying the location. The overall aesthetic is characteristic of Hiroshige's landscape-focused approach to ukiyo-e.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1836 for The Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaidō series, specific provenance details for this individual print are not provided in the available information.

Context

Part of a larger series documenting stations along the Kisokaidō, Ashida Station reflects Hiroshige's interest in capturing the beauty of Japan's natural landscapes and the daily activities of its people, contrasting with the more common ukiyo-e themes of urban entertainment and celebrity.

Legacy

As part of Hiroshige's renowned series, Ashida Station contributes to the artist's lasting impact on Japanese ukiyo-e, particularly in popularizing landscape themes, and influencing subsequent artistic movements both in Japan and internationally.

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.