Artwork

近江八景之内 瀬田夕照|Sunset at Seta

近江八景之内 瀬田夕照|Sunset at Seta, by Utagawa Hiroshige, ink, 1832
近江八景之内 瀬田夕照|Sunset at Seta, by Utagawa Hiroshige, ink, 1832

近江八景之内 瀬田夕照|Sunset at Seta is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Sunset at Seta is a woodblock print created by Utagawa Hiroshige around 1832, as part of his Eight Views of Ōmi series. Executed in ink and color on paper, it exemplifies Hiroshige's emphasis on natural landscapes within the ukiyo-e tradition.

Subject & Meaning

The print captures a serene evening scene at Seta in the Ōmi region. A bridge, boats, trees, buildings, and a distant mountain are set against a sky transitioning from warm yellow to soft blue, conveying tranquility and inviting contemplation.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige's composition and color palette in Sunset at Seta create a peaceful atmosphere. The subtle interplay of light and shadow enhances the depth and texture of the landscape, characteristic of his skill in capturing natural beauty.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1832 for the Eight Views of Ōmi series, Sunset at Seta is part of Hiroshige's broader oeuvre, which includes renowned works like The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō and One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.

Context

As a leading Edo period ukiyo-e artist, Hiroshige's focus on natural landscapes in Sunset at Seta diverges from the genre's common emphasis on urban life, reflecting his unique contribution to Japanese printmaking.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Utagawa Hiroshige

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.