Who painted Ikegami Bansho|江戸近郊八景之内池上晩鐘|Vesper Bells at Ikegami?

Ikegami Bansho|江戸近郊八景之内池上晩鐘|Vesper Bells at Ikegami was painted by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1828.

Where can I see Ikegami Bansho|江戸近郊八景之内池上晩鐘|Vesper Bells at Ikegami?

Ikegami Bansho|江戸近郊八景之内池上晩鐘|Vesper Bells at Ikegami is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Ikegami Bansho|江戸近郊八景之内池上晩鐘|Vesper Bells at Ikegami?

Ikegami Bansho|江戸近郊八景之内池上晩鐘|Vesper Bells at Ikegami is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Ikegami Bansho|江戸近郊八景之内池上晩鐘|Vesper Bells at Ikegami

Utagawa Hiroshige , 1828

Ikegami Bansho|江戸近郊八景之内池上晩鐘|Vesper Bells at Ikegami 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

Created in 1828, this woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige portrays an evening at Ikegami, a locale on the outskirts of Edo. Executed with ink and color on paper, the image forms part of Hiroshige’s series of eight scenic views of the area. The work is presently owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures a calm lakeside at dusk, where slender trees line the water’s edge and modest structures cluster near the shore. A distant temple emits a soft glow, while a few figures stroll along winding paths. The title, rendered in Japanese at the top, references the evening bells that would have marked the time for local worshippers.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige employs delicate, fine lines to suggest shadows and architectural detail, allowing the color fields to convey atmosphere. The balance of ink outlines with muted pigments exemplifies the ukiyo-e approach to landscape, emphasizing mood over narrative drama. Subtle gradations of tone create a sense of depth across the water and sky.

History & Provenance

The print belongs to Hiroshige’s "Ikegami Bansho" series, a collection of eight views that documented notable spots around Edo’s periphery. Unlike many ukiyo-e works that focused on actors or courtesans, this series foregrounds natural scenery. After changing hands through private collections, the piece entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings, where it remains on display.

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.