Utagawa Hiroshige was a prolific travel blogger who was also a success in the world of fast-fashion, with somewhere between 600 and 1000 designs for disposable hand-held fans. That’s to describe him with a modern perspective, to think of where he’d be placed artistically and commercially if he’d been born two hundred years later.
Like William Morris, whose own prolific output would begin around the time of Hiroshige’s death, Hiroshige believed in making popular art that was accessible to all. Such a modern and open outlook has, alongside their talent, allowed their work to remain highly popular to this day.
Views of Edo, 1857. Colour-woodblock print.
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797—1858). Collection
of Alan Medaugh © Alan Medaugh. Photography by
Matsuba Ryōko.
Hiroshige produced thousands of prints and paintings at the turn of the 19th century, capturing scenes from bustling trade routes to serene rural spots. Hiroshige intended for his work to show “entirely true-to-life landscapes, in order to give others a few moments of pleasure without the inconvenience of a long journey”.
This summer, Hiroshige’s prints, paintings, books and sketches can be viewed in a new exhibition at The British Museum with the majority of the prints shown having never been displayed before.
Hiroshige: artist of the open road is at The British Museum until 7th September 2025.
Capital, 1832-4. Colour-woodblock print triptych.
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797—1858). Collection
of Alan Medaugh © Alan Medaugh. Photography by
Matsuba Ryōko.