Artwork
東海道五十三次 小田原 酒匂川|Odawara
東海道五十三次 小田原 酒匂川|Odawara 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, titled 'Odawara', is part of Utagawa Hiroshige's 'The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō' series, created around 1840. It depicts a serene landscape scene using ink and color on paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows the Sakawa River at Odawara, with people engaged in various activities along the shore and in boats. The scene conveys a sense of tranquility, capturing a moment in the daily life of travelers and locals along the Tōkaidō road.
Technique & Style
Hiroshige employed bold outlines and flat colors to create a clear and simple composition. The use of woodblock printing allowed for vibrant colors, such as the deep blue of the water, and subtle gradations, like the pale sky.
Context
As part of 'The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō', this print deviated from the typical ukiyo-e focus on urban entertainment, instead highlighting the landscapes and experiences of travelers along the famous road.
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.
