Artwork
梅に三光鳥|Long Tailed Bird
梅に三光鳥|Long Tailed Bird 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
Utagawa Hiroshige's *Long Tailed Bird* (1828) is a woodblock print on paper, executed in ink and color, characteristic of the ukiyo-e genre. Unlike typical urban-themed ukiyo-e, this work showcases Hiroshige's penchant for natural subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The print features a brightly colored, long-tailed bird perched on a plum branch, set against a largely empty background with subtle, twisted branches bearing small blue flowers. The composition emphasizes the bird's vibrant presence within a serene, natural setting.
Technique & Style
Hiroshige's characteristic style is evident in the detailed rendering of the bird's tail feathers through tiny, repeated lines, a technique akin to cross-hatching, used to add texture and depth. The bold, contrasting colors of the bird's plumage (black, blue, orange, and red) are also typical of his work.
History & Provenance
Created in 1828, *Long Tailed Bird* is a lesser-known work by Hiroshige, best recognized for series like *The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō* and *One Hundred Famous Views of Edo*. The print's provenance details are not provided in the available information.
Context
Within the late Edo period's ukiyo-e movement, Hiroshige's focus on natural landscapes and subjects like *Long Tailed Bird* offered a contrast to the prevalent urban and figurative themes, highlighting the beauty of the natural world.
Legacy
While *Long Tailed Bird* may not be as widely celebrated as Hiroshige's famous series, it contributes to the broader appreciation of his diverse output and the evolution of ukiyo-e beyond its traditional subjects.
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.
