Artwork

京都名所之内 祇園社雪中|Gion Shrine in Snow

京都名所之内 祇園社雪中|Gion Shrine in Snow, by Utagawa Hiroshige, ink, 1828
京都名所之内 祇園社雪中|Gion Shrine in Snow, by Utagawa Hiroshige, ink, 1828

京都名所之内 祇園社雪中|Gion Shrine in Snow is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1828 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Gion Shrine in Snow is a woodblock print created by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1828. It is part of a series showcasing notable locations in Kyoto.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene nighttime scene at Gion Shrine, with a snow-covered street and trees under a dark sky. Figures in traditional clothing, including women with colorful kimonos and a person with a yellow parasol, add a sense of human presence to the atmospheric landscape.

Technique & Style

Rendered in ink and color on paper, the print exemplifies Hiroshige's skill in capturing atmospheric effects through woodblock printing. The contrast between the dark surroundings and the bright parasol creates a visual focal point.

History & Provenance

The print is held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is one of many works by Hiroshige that focus on landscapes and scenic views, diverging from the typical ukiyo-e genre's emphasis on urban life and figures.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Utagawa Hiroshige

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.