UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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FROM A PRIVATE MIDWEST COLLECTION
UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Gojusan-tsugi meisho zu-e (Famous sights of the fifty-three stations) ["Vertical Tokaido"]

Details
UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Gojusan-tsugi meisho zu-e (Famous sights of the fifty-three stations) ["Vertical Tokaido"]
A complete set of fifty-five woodblock prints, each signed Hiroshige hitsu, published by Tsutaya Kichizo (Koeido), circa 1855
Vertical oban: 14 1/8 x 9 5/8 in. (35.9 x 24.4 cm.) each approx.
(55)
Provenance
Sotheby's New York, 9 November 1984, lot 165
Sale Room Notice
Please note, we have added ["Vertical Tokaido"] to the lot title.

Brought to you by

Takaaki Murakami (村上高明)
Takaaki Murakami (村上高明) Vice President, Specialist and Head of Department | Korean Art

Lot Essay

Hiroshige created several series portraying the fifty-three stations of Tokaido, the thoroughfare connecting the Shogun's seat in Edo with the imperial capital in Kyoto. The earliest among these, commonly referred to as "The Great Tokaido," was first published in 1833 (see lot 64) and attained widespread popularity at the time. This accomplishment solidified Hiroshige's stature as one of the foremost Ukiyo-e artists, alongside Hokusai.
In 1855, Hiroshige collaborated with Tsutaya Kichizo, a prominent publisher in Edo, to release a distinctive set showcasing the fifty-three stations, oriented vertically. This series, now recognized as "The Vertical Tokaido," employed numerous compositions with elevated perspectives. Through this series, Hiroshige's advancing mastery of working with vertical formats was prominently displayed.

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