Artwork
東海道五十三次 川崎 六郷のわたし|Kawasaki
東海道五十三次 川崎 六郷のわたし|Kawasaki is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This woodblock print, 'Kawasaki,' is part of Utagawa Hiroshige's 'The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō' series, created around 1840. It showcases a scene from the Tōkaidō road, a major route connecting Edo to Kyoto.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a ferry crossing at Kawasaki, with two boats on the river. One is crowded with travelers, while the other is empty. The scene is set against a backdrop of pine trees and distant buildings, capturing the atmosphere of a busy stop along the route.
Technique & Style
Hiroshige employed simple shapes and bold outlines to convey movement and depth. The use of bright blues and greens against flat colors creates visual contrast. The artist's skillful handling of color and composition contributes to the print's dynamic effect.
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.
