Artwork

Shinagawa (from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido)

Shinagawa (from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido), by Utagawa Hiroshige II, 1828
Shinagawa (from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido), by Utagawa Hiroshige II, 1828

Shinagawa (from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido) is a print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige II. It dates from 1828 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Shinagawa, a woodblock print from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido, was created by Utagawa Hiroshige II in 1858 and is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a bustling riverside town, capturing daily life with people engaged in various activities amidst wooden buildings, lanterns, and boats, conveying the vitality of a working waterfront.

Technique & Style

Characterized by flat colors and clean lines, the composition efficiently conveys the scene's dynamism, evoking a sense of a moment frozen in time.

History & Provenance

Originally created in 1858, the print is now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, though its history between creation and acquisition is not detailed here.

Context

Part of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido series, Shinagawa reflects Hiroshige II's contribution to ukiyo-e, focusing on everyday life along a major Japanese trade route.

Legacy

As part of a renowned series, Shinagawa contributes to the enduring popularity of ukiyo-e prints, influencing perceptions of 19th-century Japanese life and landscapes.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.