Artwork

The Fuji River in the Snow

The Fuji River in the Snow, by Utagawa Hiroshige, 1841
The Fuji River in the Snow, by Utagawa Hiroshige, 1841

The Fuji River in the Snow is a print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1841 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

You see a serene Japanese landscape with snow-covered trees and a river in the painting.
The artist used simple lines and shapes to create a sense of calm. This style was popular during the Edo period, and Hiroshige was one of the artists who helped make it well-known.
Check out the work of artist: Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797–1858) for more like this.

Overview

The Fuji River in the Snow is a 1841 ukiyo-e print by Utagawa Hiroshige, a prominent Edo period artist known for landscapes that deviated from the genre's typical urban themes.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene, snow-covered Japanese landscape along the Fuji River, emphasizing natural beauty and seasonal atmosphere, characteristic of Hiroshige's thematic explorations.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige employed simple, expressive lines and shapes to convey calmness, exemplifying his signature blend of subtlety and evocative sense of place.

History & Provenance

Created in 1841, the work is associated with Hiroshige's series exploring atmospheric and seasonal themes, such as *The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō*.

Context

This piece reflects the Edo period's aesthetic preferences, with Hiroshige contributing significantly to the popularity of ukiyo-e's naturalistic and travel-inspired subjects.

Legacy

As part of Hiroshige's oeuvre, *The Fuji River in the Snow* continues to represent the artist's influence on ukiyo-e's expansion beyond traditional urban themes.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Utagawa Hiroshige

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.

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