Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川広重)

Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川広重) was an artist active across the 17th and 18th centuries, with documented activity spanning from 1615 through 1797. His significant contribution to printmaking centered on landscapes, figure studies, and detailed botanical renderings.

His surviving oeuvre is represented in major Western institutions, with fourteen prints and one book documented across museum collections. Among his most well-known works is the series Fifty-three Stations on the Tokaido Road (Tōkaidō gojūsan tsugi), a landmark effort recognized for its influence on later landscape artists. Individual works represented in collections include Asukayama Hanami, Bird on a Plum Branch, Rose, and Shiba Atogayama.

The credibility and enduring appeal of his art are cemented by its preservation in prominent institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. These institutions maintain high-quality prints and records of Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川広重) prints, ensuring their availability for scholarly research. Today, much of the artist's output falls within the public domain, making numerous museum-quality examples accessible as downloadable artwork for enthusiasts worldwide.