Hiroshige

The Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858) exhibition at the British Museum, 1 May – 7 September 2025, is well worth a visit. It documents life and travel in Japan in the first half of the 19th century, during a period of imminent change. The exhibition features prints, drawings, illustrated books, and paintings, including triptychs teeming with life and worthy of detailed scrutiny. His subjects include customs and leisure pastimes of people from many walks of life, as well as birds, flowers, and landscapes. I like the way he conveys the energy and enjoyment of his subjects. 

Hiroshige was popular during his lifetime, selling many copies of his prints. Despite living through difficult times, he chose to avoid depictions of war and conflict. Instead, the only threats in his works come from the weather, especially as seen in his simple, effective depictions of rain.

A video introduction to the exhibition can be found here: Hiroshige at the British Museum.