Artwork

魚づくし伊勢海老芝蝦|Ise-ebi and Shiba-ebi, from the series Uozukushi (Every Variety of Fish)

魚づくし伊勢海老芝蝦|Ise-ebi and Shiba-ebi, from the series Uozukushi (Every Variety of Fish) 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

Utagawa Hiroshige's *Ise-ebi and Shiba-ebi* is a woodblock print from his *Uozukushi* series, created circa 1834. Departing from his typical landscape focus, this piece showcases two lobster varieties against a blue background.

Subject & Meaning

The print highlights a large Ise-ebi lobster and a smaller Shiba-ebi shrimp. The detailed, contrasting depiction of the two species may emphasize the diversity of marine life, characteristic of the *Uozukushi* series' documentary approach to fish varieties.

Technique & Style

The work employs meticulous woodblock print techniques, evident in the textured shell of the Ise-ebi, achieved through fine lines, and the subtle glow of its eyes. Japanese calligraphy frames the image, adding a poetic element.

History & Provenance

Created around 1834 by Utagawa Hiroshige, a prominent ukiyo-e artist of the late Edo period, this print is part of a broader series that diverges from the genre's usual urban themes to focus on marine life.

Context

Within the *Uozukushi* series, this print reflects Hiroshige's less common exploration of flora and fauna, alongside his more renowned landscapes, highlighting the artist's versatility.

Legacy

As part of *Uozukushi*, *Ise-ebi and Shiba-ebi* contributes to the series' significance in ukiyo-e for its detailed, non-traditional subject matter, influencing later artists in their depiction of natural subjects.

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.