歌川広重画 扶養に高麗鶯|A Black-Naped Oriole on a Stem of Rose Mallow by Utagawa Hiroshige

歌川広重画 扶養に高麗鶯|A Black-Naped Oriole on a Stem of Rose Mallow

Utagawa Hiroshige · 1824

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“Pause to admire this exquisite woodblock print of a black-naped oriole, a testament to the beauty of Japanese bird-and-flower art. The vivid colors and detailed rendering invite a closer look at nature's elegance.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

A vibrant black-naped oriole perches delicately on a stem of rose mallow in this striking woodblock print. The bird's bright yellow plumage contrasts beautifully with its distinctive black head, a detail that gives the species its name. The artist has captured a moment of quiet observation, focusing on the natural world rather than the urban scenes often depicted in ukiyo-e. The slender composition, a vertical format, emphasizes the height of the mallow stem and the bird's elegant posture, drawing the viewer's eye upwards. This work, created around 1834, showcases a refined use of color and line, characteristic of the period's bird-and-flower prints.

DETAILS
Artist
Utagawa Hiroshige
Date
1824
Medium
Woodblock print
Location
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dimensions
14 11/16 x 4 15/16 in. (37.3 x 12.5 cm)
ART MOVEMENTS
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

歌川広重画 扶養に高麗鶯|A Black-Naped Oriole on a Stem of Rose Mallow
01

The subtle gradation of color (bokashi) on the rose mallow petals.

02

The intricate details of the bird's feathers, particularly on its wings.

03

The delicate curve of the rose mallow stem supporting the bird.

04

The small, almost hidden signature of the artist on the left side.

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THE ARTIST

Utagawa Hiroshige

1797–1858 · Japan

Utagawa Hiroshige, the last great master of ukiyo-e, transformed landscape printmaking with his poetic scenes of Edo Japan and vibrant use of color gradation.

Read Hiroshige’s full story
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