Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This woodblock print, created around 1847 by Utagawa Hiroshige, is a representative example of the artist's work in the ukiyo-e tradition. It showcases his skill in combining color and composition to evoke a sense of natural beauty.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a red flower with a yellow center, surrounded by blue-green leaves, set against a pale blue sky. Two butterflies are shown in flight near the plant. The image is accompanied by Japanese writing along the top and sides, adding an additional layer of meaning.
Technique & Style
Hiroshige employed simple, expressive lines to convey texture and depth in the leaves. The bold red of the flower creates a striking contrast with the surrounding foliage, demonstrating the artist's ability to balance color and form.
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.
