Utagawa (Ando) Hiroshige
Japan, 1797-1858

The Japanese style of printmaking known as Ukiyo-e (oo-kee-yoh-ay), or "pictures
of the floating world," first gained popularity in the seventeenth century. During the
nineteenth century, two Ukiyo-e masters became legendary. One of these artists was
Katsushika Hokusai (kah-tsoo-shee-kah hok-sigh), and the other was Utagawa
(Ando) Hiroshige (on-doh hear-oh-shee-geh).

Hiroshige was born in Edo (now Tokyo), Japan. When both of his parents died within
a year of each other, the young Hiroshige became an apprentice at the school of
Utagawa Toyohiro, an Ukiyo-e master.

Hiroshige's career as an artist is usually divided into three distinct periods. The first
(1811-30) is considered his student period. In those early years, Hiroshige created
prints of traditional subjects, including young women, actors, and samurai. During
the second period (1830-44), Hiroshige reached maturity as an artist and also
achieved fame and success in his career. Hiroshige began creating landscape prints
during this period, as well as bird-and-flower designs, for which he became famous.
In the third and final period of his career (1844-58), Hiroshige continued to produce
landscape prints. This period saw a decline in print quality, however, as the artist
rushed to meet the demands for his popular work.

The quality considered most unique in Hiroshige's work is the sense of atmosphere
he created. His landscapes convey a delicate, poetic mood. His ability to suggest far-
reaching scenes using just a few brushstrokes earned him the moniker, "artist of the
sweeping brush." It is estimated that Hiroshige created a total of 5,400 prints during
his lifetime.