Artwork

名所江戸百景 川口のわたし善光寺|Kawaguchi

名所江戸百景 川口のわたし善光寺|Kawaguchi, by Utagawa Hiroshige, ink, 1857
名所江戸百景 川口のわたし善光寺|Kawaguchi, by Utagawa Hiroshige, ink, 1857

名所江戸百景 川口のわたし善光寺|Kawaguchi is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print, 'Kawaguchi', is part of Utagawa Hiroshige's 'One Hundred Famous Views of Edo' series, created in 1857. It showcases Hiroshige's skill in capturing landscapes.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene riverside scene at Kawaguchi, with boats and travelers set against distant mountains. It diverges from typical ukiyo-e subjects by focusing on a landscape rather than urban entertainment scenes.

Technique & Style

Rendered in ink and color on paper, the print features muted shades of blue, green, and brown, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Hiroshige's mastery of atmospheric and seasonal detail is evident in the depiction of trees, houses, and the river.

Context

As a landscape print, 'Kawaguchi' reflects Hiroshige's innovative approach to ukiyo-e, a genre typically associated with figures from urban entertainment districts.

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.