Who is Utagawa Hiroshige?
Utagawa Hiroshige was a Japanese artist who lived in the late Edo period (1603-1868). He is best known for his landscape prints and his work is widely regarded as one of the best examples of Ukiyo-e, a genre of Japanese art. He was also a noted book illustrator and painter. Hiroshige has inspired countless artists and is considered one of the masters of Japanese art.
The History of Utagawa Hiroshige
Utagawa Hiroshige was born on December 16, 1797, in Edo (modern-day Tokyo). His given name was Tokitarō. He changed his name to Hiroshige in 1811, when his father died, and he became a student of the famous Ukiyo-e master Utagawa Toyohiro. He spent several years as an apprentice, and in 1823, he made his debut as a printmaker in the art genre of Ukiyo-e.
Over the next few years, Hiroshige worked on a series of wood block prints, such as the “Fifty-three Stages of the Tōkaidō” (1833). He was a highly prolific artist and published his own works, including the “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” (1857) and the “Sixty-nine Stations of the Kiso Kaidō” (1861). Other works by Hiroshige include “Waterfalls,” “Illustrated Verses at the Birthplace of Kiyomizu” (1818), and “Views of Mount Fuji” (1856).
The Influence of Utagawa Hiroshige
Utagawa Hiroshige’s works are credited for revitalizing and popularizing Ukiyo-e, which is a genre of Japanese art pertaining to everyday life. He also had a significant influence on art outside of Japan. His works are said to have been an inspiration for impressionist painters such as Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh and Édouard Manet.
Famous Examples of Utagawa Hiroshige’s Art
Utagawa Hiroshige was one of the most talented artists of his time and is known for his amazing landscapes, which often combined harmonious colors and bold outlines. Here is a list of some of his most famous works:
- The Fifty-three Stages of the Tōkaidō (1833)
- One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (1857)
- Sixty-nine Stations of the Kiso Kaidō (1861)
- Waterfalls (1818)
- Illustrated Verses at the Birthplace of Kiyomizu (1818)
- Views of Mount Fuji (1856)
- Bridges of the Wilds of Musashi (1844–1845)
- Famous Sights of the Eastern Nation (1833–1834)
- Six Famous Views of Mount Takao (1833–1834)
- Nara Views (1843–1844)
Utagawa Hiroshige’s Legacy
Utagawa Hiroshige’s art remains influential even today. He opened up a whole new way of producing art and inspired many great artists in Japan and overseas. His works have been reproduced in various forms and many of his prints have become icons of Japanese culture. His influence on printmaking, painting, and art in general have been recognized the world over. He was also the first Japanese artist to be featured in the Louvre Museum in Paris in 1865.
Utagawa Hiroshige is one of the most influential and renowned Japanese artists. His work is still admired and appreciated hundreds of years later. His Ukiyo-e prints are considered some of the finest examples of Ukiyo-e art. Hiroshige inspired countless artists and has left a meaningful legacy in the art world.
