Artwork
浪花名所図会 順慶町夜見世の図|Junkei machi Yomise no Zu
浪花名所図会 順慶町夜見世の図|Junkei machi Yomise no Zu 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
Junkei machi Yomise no Zu is a woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige, created circa 1828, depicting a vibrant nighttime market scene in a commercial district of Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Executed in ink and color on paper, it showcases the artist's ability to capture dynamic urban life.
Subject & Meaning
This print deviates from traditional ukiyo-e themes of courtesans and kabuki actors, instead focusing on everyday genre scenes. It portrays a bustling outdoor market at night, filled with people engaging in various activities amidst shops, lanterns, and an array of goods.
Technique & Style
Hiroshige employed flat, bold colors (notably blues, greens, and reds) and clear outlines to convey the scene's energy. The composition effectively captures a 'snapshot' of daily life, characterized by simplicity and a focus on the ordinary, contrasting with the more ornate portrayals of elite life.
History & Provenance
Part of Hiroshige's broader work within the late Edo period (1603-1868), this print is now held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, highlighting its significance within the artist's oeuvre and the global recognition of ukiyo-e.
Context
While Hiroshige is renowned for landscape series like *The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō* and *One Hundred Famous Views of Edo*, *Junkei machi Yomise no Zu* demonstrates his interest in urban genre scenes, reflecting the growing appeal of depicting everyday city life in Edo-period art.
Legacy
This work contributes to the legacy of ukiyo-e in capturing the essence of Edo's urban culture. Its emphasis on the mundane aspects of city life influenced the broader development of genre scenes in Japanese art, offering a unique window into the daily activities of ordinary Edo residents.
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.
