Artwork

名所江戸百景京橋竹がし|Full Moon Over Canal, with Bridge and Huge Stacks of Bamboo along the Bank

名所江戸百景京橋竹がし|Full Moon Over Canal, with Bridge and Huge Stacks of Bamboo along the Bank is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print, created around 1857, is part of Utagawa Hiroshige's series 'One Hundred Famous Views of Edo'. It is a serene nighttime scene along a canal, featuring a bridge, bamboo stacks, and a small boat.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a moonlit canal scene with a bridge lined with people and tall bamboo stacks along the bank. A man in a small boat looks up at the bridge, creating a sense of interaction between the figures and their surroundings.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige's use of muted colors and gentle lines creates a peaceful atmosphere. The contrast between dark trees and a light blue sky adds to the sense of calm, showcasing the artist's skill in capturing the natural and architectural character of Edo.

History & Provenance

The print is held in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, exemplifying Hiroshige's departure from traditional ukiyo-e's focus on urban entertainment towards landscapes and cityscapes.

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.