Artwork
東海道五十三次 小田原|Odawara
東海道五十三次 小田原|Odawara is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This woodblock print, 'Odawara', is part of Utagawa Hiroshige's 'The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō' series, created around 1838. It depicts a scene along the historic Tōkaidō route between Edo and Kyoto.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows a serene landscape with a winding road, tall pine trees, and travelers. The scene emphasizes natural and architectural details, capturing the atmosphere of the location.
Technique & Style
Executed in ink and color on paper, the print showcases Hiroshige's attention to detail, such as the texture of tree bark and the play of light on the road, characteristic of his ukiyo-e style.
Context
As a leading Edo-period ukiyo-e artist, Hiroshige focused on landscapes, diverging from the genre's typical emphasis on urban entertainment.
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.
