Artwork
東海道五十三次之内 平塚 縄手道|Hiratsuka; Nawate Do
東海道五十三次之内 平塚 縄手道|Hiratsuka; Nawate Do 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
Hiratsuka; Nawate Do is a woodblock print created by Utagawa Hiroshige around 1834, as part of The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō series. The work depicts a serene landscape with figures on a path, set against a mountain and tree backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a moment of everyday life along a major travel route in Edo period Japan, diverging from ukiyo-e's typical focus on urban entertainment. The scene conveys a sense of tranquility and provides insight into the era's daily existence.
Technique & Style
Characterized by meticulous detail, the print showcases Hiroshige's attention to specific elements such as tree types and traditional attire, enhancing its historical and cultural significance.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1834 for The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō, a renowned series by Hiroshige, highlighting his contribution to landscape-focused ukiyo-e. Provenance details are not specified in the provided sources.
Context
Produced during the Edo period, the work reflects Hiroshige's innovative approach within the ukiyo-e genre, emphasizing natural landscapes and rural life along Japan's prominent Tōkaidō route.
Legacy
Hiratsuka; Nawate Do exemplifies Hiroshige's influential style, encouraging interest in his broader oeuvre and the ukiyo-e tradition, particularly for those exploring landscape prints of the 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.
