Artwork

歌川広重画「近江八景三井晩鐘」|Evening Bell at Miidera Temple, from the series Eight Views of Ōmi (Ōmi hakkei)

歌川広重画「近江八景三井晩鐘」|Evening Bell at Miidera Temple, from the series Eight Views of Ōmi (Ōmi hakkei) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Evening Bell at Miidera Temple is a woodblock print created by Utagawa Hiroshige around 1834, featuring ink and color on paper. It is part of the series Eight Views of Ōmi, which highlights scenic locations in Ōmi Province.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene dusk scene along a river, with a central bridge, hillside buildings and trees, and a softly colored sky. The calm, nearly empty composition conveys a sense of stillness.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige employed simple geometric forms and bold, muted colors to achieve a tranquil atmosphere, characteristic of his departure from traditional ukiyo-e themes towards landscape serenity.

History & Provenance

Originally part of Hiroshige's Eight Views of Ōmi series, the piece is now held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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.