Utagawa Hiroshige Twilight Hill at Meguro



  I am always amazed at the beautiful and original woodcut prints by Japanese artist, Utagawa Hiroshige.  The one today is from the 1858 series, Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji and is titled, Twilight Hill at Meguro.  I see this view as if we are looking out a tall window.   We can look down and see what is below us, straight out and see what is at our own level, and up to see what is above us. This is quite remarkable. Generally, western painters showed us what they could see from their own level.  For example when looking at many Vermeer paintings, it is easy to understand that the artist was seated when painting. But here, Hiroshige gives us down, up and out.
  Plus the amount of detail is amazing. Notice when looking out we see five people, four of which seem to be walking toward the community nestled by the hills.  The leaves on the trees are all individual objects.  Most likely the time of day is at that very second just after the sun has set, leaving a red streak across the horizon yet a great amount of light left in the lower sky.  Red leaves, yellow ground cover indicate fall, while Mount Fuji is completely snow covered.
  The composition divides our eye with strong rectangles and triangles, interrupted by the two large vertical trees.  It would make sense to believe the mountain is to be our center of attention, but is it? My eye is drawn to below the mountain, straight out at the people walking toward the village, which is almost center in the format. 
   And, do remember, this is a wood cut, not a painting, an amazing work of art.
Make Art a part of your life, it's a beautiful thing to do.   
 

Comments

  1. charguthMay 27, 2020 at 1:46 PM

    A really intensive work, and I looked at other works of his which are equally so. I notice the green at the top and lower left, which is repeated through the middle. The individual leaves fascinate me.
    Woodcuts are so technical, and yes, the details in this one are amazing. It's a beautiful scene and I'm sure the location is special to the artist. Always appreciate your analogy of the composition. Much to learn from this prominent artist. It is very pleasing to me.

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