Utagawa or Ando Hiroshige Paintings

Utagawa Hiroshige, also known as Ando Hiroshige, was a prominent Japanese ukiyo-e artist, considered the last great master of that tradition. Hiroshige was born in Edo (now Tokyo), and he was originally named Ando Tokutaro. His early life was somewhat tumultuous; his parents died when he was a young boy, and he was adopted into the Utagawa art school after showing an interest in drawing. He took the name 'Utagawa' when he was accepted as a disciple of the famous ukiyo-e master Utagawa Toyohiro.

Hiroshige's work is particularly renowned for its landscape series, including 'The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido' and 'One Hundred Famous Views of Edo'. These series not only showcase Hiroshige's skill and unique perspective but also provide a historical snapshot of Japan during the Edo period. His work was characterized by a sense of tranquility and an emphasis on the beauty of the natural world, contrasting the bustling life of Edo with the serene landscapes surrounding it.

Throughout his career, Hiroshige created more than 8,000 works, which included not only landscapes but also images of birds and flowers, genre scenes, and illustrations for books. His artistry was influential in Japan and eventually reached the West, where it came to have a significant impact on the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists of the late 19th century, including Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet.

Hiroshige's artistic production declined in his later years, but he continued to work diligently until his death in 1858. He died during the great Edo cholera epidemic; his last words were said to have been 'Now I will become a true artist,' reflecting his lifelong pursuit of artistic perfection. His work remains highly regarded, and his prints are collected and exhibited in museums around the world.