Artwork
歌川広重画 「あふみ八景 辛崎夜雨」|Evening Rain at Karasaki, from the series Eight Views of Ōmi (Ōmi hakkei)
歌川広重画 「あふみ八景 辛崎夜雨」|Evening Rain at Karasaki, 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
Utagawa Hiroshige's "Evening Rain at Karasaki" is a woodblock print from the "Eight Views of Ōmi" series, created circa 1834. Executed in ink and color on paper, it exemplifies the cityscape genre and is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene evening scene by the water, featuring a small village with simple houses near the shore, set against a backdrop of dark trees, a looming mountain, and a rain-filled sky. The composition conveys a sense of tranquility amidst the rain.
Technique & Style
Hiroshige utilized quick, angled lines to convey the intensity of the falling rain. The color palette is characterized by deep blues for the water and muted grays for the mountain, contributing to the overall calm atmosphere. The technique of cross-hatching is evident in the build-up of textures.
History & Provenance
Created by Utagawa Hiroshige (born Andō Tokutarō in 1797), a renowned ukiyo-e artist and the last great master of the tradition, this work marks a departure from the typical ukiyo-e focus on urban entertainment, instead emphasizing landscape. It is now held in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Context
Part of the "Eight Views of Ōmi" series, "Evening Rain at Karasaki" reflects Hiroshige's innovation within the ukiyo-e genre, shifting focus towards serene, natural landscapes, a contrast to the prevalent urban themes of his contemporaries.
Legacy
As a piece by the last great ukiyo-e master, "Evening Rain at Karasaki" contributes to Hiroshige's lasting impact on Japanese art, particularly in popularizing landscape themes within ukiyo-e, influencing subsequent artistic movements.
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.
歌川広重画 「あふみ八景 石山秋月」|Autumn Moon at Ishiyama, from the series Eight Views of Ōmi (Ōmi hakkei)
歌川広重画 「あふみ八景 比良暮雪」|Evening Snow at Mount Hira, from the series Eight Views of Ōmi (Ōmi hakkei)
歌川広重画 「近江八景 粟津晴嵐」|Clearing Weather at Awazu (Awazu seiran), from the series Eight Views of Ōmi (Ōmi hakkei)
歌川広重画 「近江八景 瀬田夕照」|Sunset Glow at Seta, from the series Eight Views of Ōmi (Ōmi hakkei)
歌川広重画 「あふみ八景 堅田落雁」|Descending Geese at Katada, from the series Eight Views of Ōmi (Ōmi hakkei)
歌川広重画 「近江八景之内 唐崎夜雨」|Night Rain at Karasaki, from the series Eight Views of Ōmi (Ōmi hakkei no uchi)
近江八景之内 唐崎夜雨|Evening Rain on the Karasaki Pine
近江八景之内 唐崎夜雨|Evening Rain at Karasaki-Pine Tree
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)
Night Rain at Karasaki, from Eight Views of Ōmi
Evening Bell at Mii Temple, from the series Eight Views of Omi Province
琉球八景 臨海潮（湖）聲|Sound of the Lake at Rinkai (Rinkai kosei), from the series Eight Views of the Ryūkyū Islands (Ryūkyū hakkei)