Hiroshige's Woodblock Prints

Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858) was one of the last great masters of the traditional Japanese woodblock print, the Ukiyo-e. Possessing the ability to reduce the pictured scene to a few simple yet highly decorative elements, Hiroshige captured the very essence of what he saw and turned it into a strikingly effective composition. With extraordinary freshness and intimacy, he depicted almost every aspect of his native country in all its weather variations. Snow, rain, mist and moonlight scenes compose some of his most poetic masterpieces. Hiroshige's landscapes and nature scenes, together with those of a handful of other Japanese masters, deeply influenced late 19th-century European art, finding clear expression in the works of Manet, Degas, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec and
This exceptional volume is a thorough and comprehensive guide to Hiroshige's woodblock
prints in all their complex series of issues together with: a
background on Japanese woodblock prints; a biography of the artist; the text of his diaries; a critical analysis of his art; a catalogue and guides to his publishers and the many signatures under which, following Japanese practice, his works appeared. This sumptuous gallery of Hiroshige's timeless prints presents a total of 54 illustrations (including a portrait of the artist): 38 different images reproduced in black and white, with 16 of them repeated in full color,
scrupulously faithful to the rich tones of the originals.
The lyric and honest qualities apparent in Hiroshige's work reflect the artist's personal affection for nature as well as his keen and accurate observations of its many moods. His flawless compositions, deft handling of natural elements, good humor and refreshing spontaneity are as vibrant today in these poetic, evocative prints as they were nearly 150 years ago.
For collectors, connoisseurs, artists, designers, students, teachers, and lovers of fine art this indispensable compendium offers a rich treasury of Hiroshige's finest work. These 54 illustrations- 16 in full color - are fully complemented by the author's solid, well-researched text, which provides a clear understanding of the technical processes involved, a discussion of seals and signatures, the social and artistic environment in which the artist lived, as well as an outline of the conditions which led to it.