Artwork
「甲陽猿橋之図」|The Monkey Bridge in Kai Province (Kōyō Saruhashi no zu)
「甲陽猿橋之図」|The Monkey Bridge in Kai Province (Kōyō Saruhashi no zu) 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
The Monkey Bridge in Kai Province is a vertical ōban diptych mounted as a hanging scroll, created by Utagawa Hiroshige around 1842. Executed in ink and color on paper, it exemplifies the artist's landscape work.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a serene night scene with a curved wooden bridge spanning a river under a bright moon. A solitary tree is prominent in the foreground, set against softly rendered hills and water.
Technique & Style
Hiroshige employed simple, expressive lines to convey depth, particularly in the representation of trees and mountains. The reflection of the moon in the water enhances the tranquil atmosphere, achieved through a palette of soft blues and whites contrasted with dark shadows.
History & Provenance
This work is part of Hiroshige's oeuvre that marked a shift towards landscapes and architectural views, diverging from traditional ukiyo-e subjects. It is held in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
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.
