Hiroshige Ando (1797-1858)
Medium: Woodblock

One of the most famous of the Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock printmakers, Hiroshige created more than 5000 different images over a long career.  He was born in Tokyo and had several name changes as a youth.  After his parents died he was apprenticed to Toyokuni of the Utagawa School of printmakers which included Kunisada and Kuniyoshi and many more.  He took the name Hiroshige shortly thereafter.

From 1812 to 1829 he created rather traditional prints of actors and beauties. Thereafter he began to focus more on landscapes, which is the source of his fame. The best known series is Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido—the 300 mile highway between Tokyo and Kyoto.  It was so successful, he actually made several different versions —vertical, horizontal, smaller size, etc.  Additionally, there were many other notable series such as One Hundred Views of Edo, Sixty-nine Stations of the Kiso Kaido, Famous Views of Kyoto, and Famous Places in the Sixty odd Provinces.

Hiroshige is known for the unusual viewpoints in his artwork, vivid color use, and somewhat intimate designs showing actual travelers along the route.  Some prints used the highest quality effects— color gradations, powdered mica for an iridescent effect, embossing, and blind printing.  He traveled the famous roads himself so had wonderful insights and experiences to incorporate in the designs.  At a time when many Japanese were traveling and had more disposable income, he was immensely popular.  This continued long after Hiroshige’s death.  Many of the most famous prints made in the 1840s were reprinted in the 20th Century from newly carved blocks.

Hiroshige also had a strong influence on Western artists including the Impressionists, Cezanne and Whistler.