Hiroshige Ukiyo-e master

The master of Japanese ukiyo-e

Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) was one of the last great artists of the Japanese tradition of ukiyo-e. The ukiyo-ewhich literally translates as "images of a floating world", was a very specific artistic genre of woodblock printmaking that flourished between the 17th and 19th centuries. Illustrated subjects ranged from the bright lights and attractions of Edo (present-day Tokyo) to spectacular natural landscapes.

In the West, the Hiroshige prints became synonymous with japonisme that prevailed throughout Europe, and eventually defined the visual idea of Japan in the Western world. Because they could be mass-produced, the works of ukiyo-e works were often used in prints for fans, postcards and editorial illustrations. This style influenced Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and impressionist, Post-Impressionist and art nouveau artists such as Vincent Van Gogh y James McNeill Whistlerwho were particularly inspired by Hiroshige's landscapes.

This introductory book displays key images from the vivid catalogue of cherry blossoms, beauties, kabuki actors and kabuki actors and busy shopping streets of Hiroshige, introducing us to one of the greatest exponents of Asian art history.