The Last Master of Ukiyo-e: Hiroshige’s Artwork on Display at the British Museum
In a celebration of Japanese art and culture, the British Museum is hosting an exhibition showcasing the works of Utagawa Hiroshige, the last master of the great Ukiyo-e tradition of woodblock prints. According to a report from Ian Visits, the exhibition features over 100 of Hiroshige’s prints, offering a rare glimpse into the life and work of this influential artist.
Hiroshige was born in 1797 and began his career as a young artist, choosing to pursue his passion for painting rather than following in his family’s footsteps as a samurai. As noted by Ian Visits, his work is characterised by a gentle grace and decorum, setting him apart from his contemporaries. The exhibition at the British Museum highlights Hiroshige’s range, from broad landscapes to intimate portraits of society at work and play.
The British Museum owns 35 of Hiroshige’s prints, and has brought together an additional 82 to create this comprehensive exhibition. As Ian Visits reports, the exhibition begins with a print of the artist made after his sudden death in 1858, one of the few known portraits of him to survive. The room is filled with his stunning prints, showcasing his poetic feeling for nature and his landscapes, which reflected the growing interest in travel across Japan.
One of the most significant aspects of Hiroshige’s work is its influence on Western artists. As the article from Ian Visits explains, his style of artwork fell out of favour in Japan following the Meiji Restoration in 1868, but was picked up by Western artists and has often been cited as an inspiration for many 19th-century Europeans.
The exhibition also features rare and unique items, such as a surviving bamboo hand fan design, which highlights Hiroshige’s work as a commercial artist. As Ian Visits notes, this type of artwork was often disposable and therefore few examples have survived. The exhibition has brought together some of the finest surviving examples of major designs from the One Hundred Views series, along with pristine examples of less-familiar designs from this series.
The exhibition, titled "Hiroshige: artist of the open road," runs at the British Museum until September 2025. Tickets can be purchased on the day or in advance, with prices starting from £18 for a standard ticket. As reported by Ian Visits, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to see the work of the last masters of this genre of art, with over 25 years since the last such exhibition was shown in London.
In conclusion, the exhibition of Hiroshige’s artwork at the British Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in Japanese art and culture. With its comprehensive collection of prints and unique items, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and work of this influential artist. As Ian Visits notes, it is a rare opportunity to see the work of the last masters of this genre of art, and it is not to be missed.
