HIROSHIGE

The master of Japanese ukiyo-eUtagawa Hiroshige (1797`1858) was one of the last great artists in the ukiyo-e tradition. Literally meaning `pictures of the floating world,` ukiyo-e was a particular woodblock print genre of art that flourished between the 17th and 19th centuries. Subjects ranged from the bright lights and attractions of Edo (modern-day Tokyo), to spectacular natural landscapes.In the West, Hiroshige`s prints became exemplary of the Japonisme that swept through Europe and defined the Western world`s visual idea of Japan. Because they could be mass produced, ukiyo-e works were often used as designs for fans, greeting cards, and book illustrations. The style influenced Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Art Nouveau artists alike, with Vincent van Gogh and James Abbott McNeill Whistler both particularly inspired by Hiroshige`s landscapes.This introductory book presents key images from Hiroshige`s vibrant, vivid portfolio of blooming cherry trees, beautiful women, Kabuki actors, and busy shopping streets to introduce one of the greats of Asian art history.