Who painted 東都名所新吉原|Shin Yoshiwara?

東都名所新吉原|Shin Yoshiwara was painted by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1840.

Where can I see 東都名所新吉原|Shin Yoshiwara?

東都名所新吉原|Shin Yoshiwara is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 東都名所新吉原|Shin Yoshiwara?

東都名所新吉原|Shin Yoshiwara is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

東都名所新吉原|Shin Yoshiwara

Utagawa Hiroshige , 1840

東都名所新吉原|Shin Yoshiwara 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

Created circa 1840 by Utagawa Hiroshige, this woodblock print portrays a tranquil evening scene in the licensed pleasure quarter of Shin Yoshiwara, Edo. Executed with ink and color on paper, the composition centers on a lantern‑lined bridge spanning a river, beyond which modest buildings and a distant landscape unfold under a pale sky.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures a moment of quiet activity in a district more often associated with nightlife, emphasizing the everyday atmosphere of the waterfront rather than the courtesans or actors typical of ukiyo‑e. The soft pinks of the sky and the warm glow of the lanterns suggest a gentle transition from day to night, inviting contemplation of urban life at dusk.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige employs clear, bold outlines and simplified geometric forms to convey depth, while the limited palette of muted greens, browns, and pinks creates a harmonious visual balance. The reflective surface of the river mirrors the fading light, a hallmark of his approach to atmospheric perspective within the ukiyo‑e print tradition.

History & Provenance

Born Andō Tokutarō, Hiroshige was a leading figure of the late Edo period and is often regarded as the final great master of ukiyo‑e before the genre’s decline. This particular work is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains accessible for study and public viewing.

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.