A new exhibition and publication bring to life the work of Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), one of Japan’s most popular and prolific artists. Hiroshige: artist of the open road presents a rarely seen range of prints, paintings, books, and sketches. It is the first-ever exhibition to focus on the artist at the British Museum and the first in London in 25 years.
Notably, many of the Hiroshige prints in the exhibition, which are exquisitely illustrated in the accompanying catalogue, have never been publicly displayed until now. And, among these, several are believed to be the only surviving examples of their kind.
The Lasting Legacy of Utawaga Hiroshige
Utagawa Hiroshige’s four-decade career coincided with the end of Japan’s Edo period. From tranquil local landscapes to the familiar details of daily life, his work offered beauty and solace in an era of unsettling political change and breakneck modernization. As one of the last great masters of the ukiyo-e tradition, Hiroshige produced thousands of color woodblock prints, as well as hundreds of paintings and dozens of illustrated books.
Born into an elite samurai family in 1797, Utagawa Hiroshige defied tradition to pursue a career as an artist. He excelled as a colorist and draftsman, capturing the many facets of Japanese culture across widely circulated compositions. The experience of domestic travel, and the bond it cultivates between people and the natural world, was of particular interest to this “artist of the open road.”
Hiroshige: artist of the open road
Hiroshige set out to create art that was accessible, and for nearly two centuries, his work has indeed captivated a very wide audience. The British Museum’s new publication, Hiroshige: artist of the open road, continues this long legacy of global appreciation.
The full-color catalogue presents lavish reproductions of, and fascinating new insights into, Hiroshige’s deceptively diverse body of work. It brings together the latest research on the artist, including previously overlooked historical materials and fresh perspectives on his most popular images. The book also features up-to-date translations of the Japanese poems he inscribed on many of his nature prints.
Importantly, Hiroshige: artist of the open road reasserts the titular artist as an icon of the 21st century and beyond. Expert essays examine his lasting impact on artists in Japan and worldwide, such as Vincent van Gogh, James McNeill Whistler, Kawase Hasui, and Julian Opie. Additionally, the book demonstrates how modern-day scientific analysis can enhance our understanding of his artistic process.
Hiroshige Exhibition Open Through September 7 at British Museum
Both the exhibition and the book were made possible by a major gift of 35 prints from Alan Medaugh, a leading collector of Hiroshige’s work, to the American Friends of the British Museum. These are currently on display alongside 82 additional prints loaned by Medaugh, as well as international loans and works from the British Museum’s own collection.
Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, said, “Hiroshige’s remarkable prints immortalize the unique beauty and culture of Japan, seamlessly blending emotional depth with technical brilliance. His influence endures across generations and continues to shape artists worldwide.”
Hiroshige: artist of the open road is on view in the Joseph Hotung Great Court Gallery at the British Museum. The exhibition will run through September 7, 2025.
