Artwork
東海道五十三次之内 蒲原 夜の雪|Evening Snow

東海道五十三次之内 蒲原 夜の雪|Evening Snow is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1829 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Evening Snow, a woodblock print from 1829, is part of Utagawa Hiroshige's *The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō* series, depicting a serene winter scene at a post station along Japan's Tōkaidō roadway.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a peaceful snowy evening in a village, with two figures walking under a red umbrella, set against a backdrop of snow-covered houses, trees, and a star-filled night sky, conveying the tranquility of rural winter life.
Technique & Style
Hiroshige employed simple shapes and soft coloration to create a sense of calm, with the bold red umbrella providing a striking contrast to the predominantly white and dark tones, characteristic of his atmospheric naturalist style.
History & Provenance
Created in 1829 by Utagawa Hiroshige, a prominent ukiyo-e artist known for his landscapes, *Evening Snow* is now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Context
Diverging from the common ukiyo-e theme of urban life, Hiroshige's work focused on natural landscapes along the Tōkaidō, reflecting a shift in artistic interest towards the serenity of rural Japan during the Edo period.
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.
















