歌川広重　名所江戸百景　　"One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" by　Utagawa Hiroshige (1797~1858)

歌川広重　名所江戸百景　　

"One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" by　Utagawa Hiroshige (1797~1858)

 

Hiroshige's last work, ``One Hundred Famous Views of Edo,'' is a masterpiece of 120 illustrations (one of which was signed by the second generation Hiroshige and one was a catalogue), and is literally a monumental work that sums up his life's work as a painter. It's a truly masterpiece.

 

He was an ambitious artist who searched for the seasonal changes in people's affairs and moods in the outstanding landscapes of Edo's city center and suburbs, and discovered and registered new famous places.

 

A bold application of Western perspective, a keen sense of continuous or disconnected time, a fresh awareness of the light of the sun in the morning and evening, the moon and stars shining in the night sky, and the rays of light such as the shadow of a flame shining on the earth.

 

There is no end to the appeal, such as the unique screen composition that makes full use of unexpected cutting and trimming. It is well known that modern European painters such as Monet, Van Gogh, and Whistler were profoundly influenced by this ``100 Famous Views of Edo'' and decisively changed the direction of painting art. .

 

It was around the time when this series was published in 1856-58 that the ukiyo-e prints of the Edo period reached the highest level in terms of carving and printing techniques.

 

It appears that Hiroshige trusted the expressive power of the carvers and printers and actively allowed them to participate in the design process themselves. When carving the rain lines for ``Shower at Oohashi Atake'' or printing the shading for ``Kameido Umeyaho'', you can see how much they felt the work was worthwhile and how they cooperated with their skills to the best of their ability. You can really tell by looking at each print.

.

Chiba City Museum of Art Director Tadashi Kobayashi