Who painted 東海道五十三次桑名七里の渡舟|Kuwana?

東海道五十三次桑名七里の渡舟|Kuwana was painted by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1840.

Where can I see 東海道五十三次桑名七里の渡舟|Kuwana?

東海道五十三次桑名七里の渡舟|Kuwana is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 東海道五十三次桑名七里の渡舟|Kuwana?

東海道五十三次桑名七里の渡舟|Kuwana is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

東海道五十三次桑名七里の渡舟|Kuwana

Utagawa Hiroshige , 1840

東海道五十三次桑名七里の渡舟|Kuwana 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

Utagawa Hiroshige's *Kuwana* is a woodblock print from his *The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō* series, created circa 1840. It captures a scene in Kuwana, a post town on the coastal Edo-Kyoto route.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a bustling river scene in Kuwana, showcasing daily life at a travel hub. A large boat transports people and cargo, while figures on the dock go about their activities, some protected by umbrellas. The background features the town's architecture and a bridge, with smoke rising in the distance.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige employed ink and color on paper, characterized by simple shapes, bold outlines, and a contrasting color palette. Vibrant blues for the water juxtapose the warm tones of the boat and buildings, maintaining clarity and liveliness in the composition.

History & Provenance

Created around 1840 by Utagawa Hiroshige (born Andō Tokutarō in 1797), a renowned ukiyo-e artist known for landscapes rather than urban themes. Part of *The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō* series.

Context

Reflects Hiroshige's atmospheric and narrative approach to travel scenes, typical of his contribution to ukiyo-e during the Edo period.

Legacy

*Kuwana* represents Hiroshige's enduring influence on landscape printing in ukiyo-e, inviting viewers to explore more of his works in the series and beyond.

Artist & collection

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.