Who painted 歌川広重画梅に鶯|Warbler on a Plum Branch?

歌川広重画梅に鶯|Warbler on a Plum Branch was painted by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1835.

Where can I see 歌川広重画梅に鶯|Warbler on a Plum Branch?

歌川広重画梅に鶯|Warbler on a Plum Branch is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 歌川広重画梅に鶯|Warbler on a Plum Branch?

歌川広重画梅に鶯|Warbler on a Plum Branch is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

歌川広重画梅に鶯|Warbler on a Plum Branch

Utagawa Hiroshige , 1835

歌川広重画梅に鶯|Warbler on a Plum Branch is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1835 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Utagawa Hiroshige's *Warbler on a Plum Branch* (c. 1835) is a woodblock print from the Edo period, deviating from typical ukiyo-e subjects of urban life to focus on natural scenery.

Subject & Meaning

A bird perched on a plum branch symbolizes the arrival of spring, a common motif in Japanese art. The composition emphasizes harmony and balance, with the bird and branch forming a serene, elegant whole.

Technique & Style

The print showcases Hiroshige's attention to atmospheric detail. The bird's green plumage with black markings, delicate leaves, and blossoms contrast against a soft, muted background, achieving quiet elegance.

History & Provenance

Created around 1835, the work is part of Hiroshige's seasonal imagery body of work, characteristic of his departure from traditional ukiyo-e themes towards landscape and natural motifs.

Context

While often associated with broader artistic movements, this piece specifically reflects traditional Japanese seasonal themes rather than European movements like Romanticism, despite superficial visual similarities.

Legacy

As part of Hiroshige's nature-focused prints, *Warbler on a Plum Branch* contributes to the artist's influence on later Japanese art and global perceptions of ukiyo-e's capacity for serene, naturalistic depiction.

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.