Artwork
Small Bird (Swallow ?) on Cherry Branch
Small Bird (Swallow ?) on Cherry Branch is a print by the Impressionist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Small Bird (Swallow ?
About this work
Overview
Small Bird (Swallow ?) on Cherry Branch, created in 1854 by Utagawa Hiroshige, is a characteristic example of the artist's focus on natural subjects within the traditional ukiyo-e style.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a serene moment with a small, black-and-white bird poised to peck at a cherry branch adorned with pale pink flowers and vibrant red buds, set against a simple blue sky. The composition emphasizes the quiet interaction between the bird and the blossoming branch.
Technique & Style
Hiroshige employed bold, contrasting colors and sharp, clean lines to define the dark green leaves, soft pink petals, and the bird's plumage. This approach, typical of ukiyo-e, creates a sense of freshness and vitality in the scene.
History & Provenance
The work is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art, reflecting Hiroshige's departure from the usual ukiyo-e themes of urban life, instead highlighting his mastery of natural motifs.
Context
This piece aligns with Hiroshige's broader oeuvre, which includes renowned landscape series like *The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō* and *One Hundred Famous Views of Edo*, showcasing his ability to find beauty in both grand vistas and intimate natural moments.
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.
