Hiroshige Utagawa "Minosaki in Bungo Province," 1856 First-Edition Antique Japanese Woodblock Print

Description

Considered a master of the Japanese landscape print, Hiroshige Utagawa 歌川広重 (1797-1858) is known for his meisho-e, or images of … more Considered a master of the Japanese landscape print, Hiroshige Utagawa 歌川広重 (1797-1858) is known for his meisho-e, or images of famous places. His inventive use of color and diagonal compositions enchanted Western European artists such as Manet and Monet, who collected and took inspiration from Hiroshige's work. Even Van Gogh reproduced Hiroshige's "Sudden Shower at Ohashi Bridge" and "Plum Garden at Kameido" in two of his own paintings. Designs from Hiroshige's masterwork series "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo," "53 Stations of the Tokaido Road," and "Famous Views in the 60-odd Provinces" can be found in museum collections worldwide.

This print is from Hiroshige's masterwork series "Famous Places in the 60-odd Provinces," published between 1853-1856. It is from the first edition, published by Koshihei, which differs drastically in quality and detail when compared to posthumous editions that were issued starting in the late 19th century. Other impressions of this design are held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago and Victoria & Albert Museum.

This is an early impression of the design, indicated by the woodgrain and deluxe printing techniques. Mica sparkles in the sand and trees.

Publisher: Koshimuraya Heisuke, aka Koshihei
Signature: Hiroshige hitsu

All purchases come with a certificate of authenticity for your records.

This woodblock print from Hiroshige's popular series would make a great gift or addition to a Japanese art collection. less