Hiroshige

Utagawa Hiroshige (1797 1858) was one of the last great artists in the ukiyo-e tradition. Literally meaning pictures of the floating world, ukiyo-e was a particular woodblock print genre of art that flourished between the 17th and 19th centuries. Subjects ranged from the bright lights and attractions of Edo (modern-day Tokyo), to spectacular natural landscapes. In the West, Hiroshige s prints became exemplary of the Japonisme that swept through Europe and defined the Western world s visual idea of Japan. Because they could be mass produced, ukiyo-e works were often used as designs for fans, greeting cards, and book illustrations. The style influenced Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Art Nouveau artists alike, with Vincent van Gogh and James Abbott McNeill Whistler both particularly inspired by Hiroshige s landscapes. This introductory book presents key images from Hiroshige s vibrant, vivid portfolio of blooming cherry trees, beautiful women, Kabuki actors, and busy shopping streets to introduce one of the greats of Asian art history. > Some of the greatest prints in the history of art. - The Wall Street Journal