Artwork
東海道五十三次之内 岡部 宇津の山之図|Okabe
東海道五十三次之内 岡部 宇津の山之図|Okabe is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1842 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This woodblock print, 'Okabe', is part of a series depicting the Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō, a historic route between Edo and Kyoto. Created around 1842 by Utagawa Hiroshige, it showcases the artist's skill in landscape ukiyo-e.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a serene scene on a mountain road, featuring travelers resting or conducting transactions at a small stall. The tranquil atmosphere evokes the experience of journeying along the Tōkaidō.
Technique & Style
Hiroshige employed bold outlines and flat colors to convey the scene's simplicity and clarity. The horizontal format and use of ink and color on paper are characteristic of the series.
History & Provenance
Utagawa Hiroshige, born Andō Tokutarō in 1797, was a prominent ukiyo-e artist known for his landscapes. 'Okabe' is one of his works from the late Edo period, created as part of his renowned series.
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.
