Artwork

不二詣諸品下山之図|View of the Descent from a Mountain by Many from Pilgrimage to Mt. Fuji (Fuji mōde shoshina gesan no zu)

不二詣諸品下山之図|View of the Descent from a Mountain by Many from Pilgrimage to Mt. Fuji (Fuji mōde shoshina gesan no zu) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Utagawa Hiroshige III. It dates from 1883 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This triptych woodblock print, created by Utagawa Hiroshige III in 1883, depicts a vibrant mountain scene. Held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, it showcases the artist's skill in capturing a dynamic moment.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows a crowd descending a mountain, likely pilgrims returning from Mt. Fuji, as indicated by the title. The inclusion of a hot-air balloon above a lake adds a modern element to the traditional scene, highlighting the contrast between old and new.

Technique & Style

The work features bright, though faded, colors, with reds, greens, and blues prominent against the rocky landscape. The use of ink and color on paper is characteristic of woodblock printing, a traditional Japanese technique.

Context

The juxtaposition of traditional pilgrims with a modern hot-air balloon reflects the changes occurring in 19th-century Japan, as it began to adopt Western technologies and influences.