Traveling Exhibition

 

This outstanding exhibition features 55 revolutionary wood-block prints by Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797-1858), recording the scenic views along the famous "Eastern Road" that linked Edo (now Tokyo) with Kyoto, the ancient imperial capital of Japan. This popular series, known as the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido Road, was published in 1833-4 and established Hiroshige's reputation as the foremost artist of the topographical landscape.

In 1832, Hiroshige journeyed along the historic Tokaido, visiting the fifty-three towns and villages that dotted the road, which provided lodging, refreshments, and souvenirs for travelers. The route was traveled frequently by merchants, religious pilgrims and tourists. Hiroshige stayed at these overnight stations and recorded numerous views of the surrounding landscape, towns and people.

Hiroshige was trained in the tradition of the ukiyo-e –"floating world"—wood-block print making. As a genre, landscape developed late in the ukiyo-e period and was greatly influenced by the prints of Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849).

ABOVE: Utagawa Hiroshige, Twenty-Sixth Station: Kagegawa, 1833-34, from Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido Road, wood-block print, 1933.326.27/55

RIGHT: Utagawa Hiroshige, Sixteenth Station: Yui, 1833-34, from Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido Road, wood-block print, 1933.326.17/55

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FEE: $ 4,250 per 10 week booking, plus shipping and insurance

CONTENTS: 55 framed woodblock prints; 1 example of a 19th century printing block; extended object files; introductory text panel; section panels; exhibition brochure (150)

SIZE: Approximately 250 linear feet

AVAILABILITY: January-February 2012; May-July 2012; November-December 2012; 2013 and beyond

CONTACT: Stephanie L. Hafer, Director of Event and Exhibition Rentals, 610-371-5850 x234, E-mail: stephanie.hafer@readingpublicmuseum.org

Reading Public Museum • 500 Museum Road • Reading, PA 19611

To download a PDF flier for this exhibition, click here.