Born in Edo as Tokutaro Ando, Utagawa Hiroshige (also known as Andō Hiroshige) grew up in a minor samurai family. His father belonged to the firefighting force assigned to Edo Castle. It is here that Hiroshige was given his first exposure to art: legend has it that a fellow fireman tutored him in the Kano school of painting, though Hiroshige’s first official teacher was Rinsai.
Though Hiroshige tried to join Utagawa Toyokuni's studio, he was turned away. In 1811, young Hiroshige entered an apprenticeship with the celebrated Utagawa Toyohiro. After only a year, he was bestowed with the artist name Hiroshige. He soon gave up his role in the fire department to focus entirely on painting and print design. During this time he studied painting, intrigued by the Shijo school. Hiroshige’s artistic genius went largely unnoticed until 1832.
In Hiroshige's groundbreaking series of Japanese woodblock prints, The “53 Stations of the Tokaido” (1832–33), he captured the journey along the Tokaido road, the highway connecting Edo to Kyoto, the imperial capital. With the Tokugawa Shogunate relaxing centuries of age-old restrictions on travel, urban populations embraced travel art and Hiroshige became one of the most prominent and successful ukiyo-e artists. He also produced kacho-e (bird-and-flower pictures) to enormous success. In 1858, at the age of 61, he passed away as a result of the Edo cholera epidemic.
Original Hiroshige woodblock prints continue to convey the beauty of Japan and provide insight into the everyday life of its citizens during the Edo period. The appeal of his tender, lyrical landscapes was not restricted to the Japanese audience. Hiroshige’s work had a profound influence on the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists of Europe: Toulouse-Lautrec was fascinated with Hiroshige’s daring diagonal compositions and inventive use of perspective, while Van Gogh literally copied two of Hiroshige's prints from the famous series, “100 Famous Views of Edo” in oil paint.
Find original Utagawa Hiroshige prints and other art for sale on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Robert Azensky Fine Art)
Kyonoshiki Hand Embroidered Folding Desktop Screen
Located in Pasadena, TX
This Kyonoshiki Folding screen is hand woven. It's done in the traditional style of the famous looms of Kyoto, Japan. It's embroidered using gold and silver thread on silk. It depict...
Silk
1872 Watercolor by James David Smillie
Located in Pasadena, TX
James David Smillie (January 16, 1833 – September 14, 1909), American artist, was born in New York City. His father, James Smillie (1807–1885), a Scot...
Paint
Coastal Landscape Lithograph by Lyman
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a framed lithograph by Lyman of a coastal landscape. The colors are and the condition is good. It's framed behind glass. It's signed and numbered. Image size is 12 x 7 Fram...
Paper
Roy Nockolds Lithograph, The Morning Flight
By Roy Nockolds
Located in Pasadena, TX
Roy Nockolds Lithograph, The Morning Flight Roy Nockolds (20th Century British), color lithograph, 1974, titled The Morning Flight. Signed in pencil lower right and signed in the im...
Paper
John Chious Etching and Aquatint "City Era" 40/95
Located in Pasadena, TX
This etching is #40/95. It was done by John Chious in the latter half of the 20th century. The name of the artwork is CITY ERA. It comes matted and framed.
Metal
Howard Purnell Lithograph of a Forest Trail 14/50
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a Lithograph by Howard Purnell. It's #14 of a run of 50. It depicts a trail through the forest with animals. The piece comes framed. Frame size 24 x 28
Paper
Japanese Woodblock Print Famous Views of the Sixty-Odd Provinces by Hiroshige
By Utagawa Hiroshige (Ando Hiroshige)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige (1797 - 1858) Series: Pictures of Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces Number: 5: Settsu Province: Sumiyoshi, Idemi Beach Medium: Woodblock Print Date: 1853 (Kaei 6), 7th month Number of Prints: 70/70 (inc. Title Page) Format: Vertical Oban Size (H x W): 14" x 9.25" print only. Publisher: Koshimuraya Heisuke (Koshihei) Block Cutter: Yokokawa Takejirô (Hori Take) Signature: Hiroshige hitsu Additional marks: Censors' seals: Mera, Watanabe, Ox 7 Displayed with mat and gilt wood frame. Reference: For an identical print, see the collection of MFA Boston...
Paper
Utagawa Ando Hiroshige Woodblock Print J002, Japan, 1797-1858
By Utagawa Hiroshige (Ando Hiroshige)
Located in Norton, MA
Utagawa Ando Hiroshige, Japanese, 1797 to 1858, woodblock prints on paper, Flowers and Bird signed and inscribed in Hieroglyphs and red ink stam...
Paper
Utagawa Ando Hiroshige Japanese Woodblock Print No. 51 - Minakuchi Tôkaidô Road
By Utagawa Hiroshige (Ando Hiroshige)
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful Japanese woodblock print by famed Japanese artist Utagawa Hiroshige (Ando Hiroshige) (1797-1858) tilted No. 51 - Minakuchi, from the series The Tôkaidô Road - The Fifty-t...
Paper
Japanese Woodblock Print the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido by Hiroshige
By Utagawa Hiroshige (Ando Hiroshige)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige (1797 - 1858) Series: The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido (Upright) Number: 40 Chiryu: The Former Site of the Irises at Eightbridge Village (Chiryu, Yatsuhashimura kakitsubata no koseki) Medium: Woodblock Print Date: 1855 Format: Vertical Oban Size (H x W): 14" x 9.25" print only. Publisher: Tsutaya Kichizo Seals: Aratame and date Signature: Hiroshige hitsu...
Paper
Japanese Woodblock Print Famous Views of the Sixty-Odd Provinces by Hiroshige
By Utagawa Hiroshige (Ando Hiroshige)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige (1797 - 1858) Series: Pictures of Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces Number: 44 Oki Province: Takuhi Shrine Medium: Woodblock Print Date: 1853 (Kaei 6), 12th month Number of Prints: 70/70 (inc. Title Page) Format: Vertical Oban Size (H x W): 14" x 9.25" print only. Publisher: Koshimuraya Heisuke (Koshihei) Blockcutter's mark: Hori Ko-Sen Signature: Hiroshige hitsu Additional marks: Censor's seals: aratame, Ox 12 Displayed with mat and gilt wood frame. Reference: For an identical print, see the collection of MIA (Minneapolis Institute of Art) Accession Number P.75.51.398; MFA...
Paper
Japanese Woodblock Print the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido by Hiroshige
By Utagawa Hiroshige (Ando Hiroshige)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige (1797 - 1858) Series: The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido (Upright) Number: 6 Totsuka: View of Fuji from the Mountain Road (Totsuka, Sando yori Fuji chobo) Medium: Woodblock Print Date: 1855 Format: Vertical Oban Size (H x W): 14" x 9.25" print only. Publisher: Tsutaya Kichizo Seals: Aratame and date Signature: Hiroshige hitsu...
Paper
