The first exhibition on Hiroshige in London for quarter of a century
A new exhibition at the British Museum will celebrate the life, work, and legacy of Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), one of Japan’s most popular and prolific artists.
Hiroshige’s thoughtful and engaging way of depicting landscape, nature and daily life in Japan captivated viewers in his own day, and he continues to influence and inspire.
The first exhibition on Hiroshige in London for quarter of a century, and the first ever at the British Museum, Hiroshige: artist of the open road will present this major Japanese artist through his prints, paintings, books and sketches.
Hiroshige’s 40-year career coincided with the last decades of Japan’s Edo period (1615–1868), a time of rapid change presaging the end of samurai rule. As Japan confronted the encroaching outside world and the pressures of modernisation, Hiroshige’s calm artistic vision encouraged a sense of continuity and hope. Across around 5,000 designs for colour woodblock prints, as well as hundreds of paintings and dozens of illustrated books, he offered aesthetic pleasure and emotional solace to people at every level of society in an age of transformation.
Possessed of outstanding technical skills as both a colourist and draftsman, Hiroshige stands out also for crossing social boundaries. Born into a samurai family, he chose to create accessible art for a popular audience. His inclusive vision is evident in his designs for hand-held printed fans (uchiwa-e), a practical, affordable and disposable art form that served to find a place for beauty in daily life. This aspect of his work is seldom exhibited outside Japan and will comprise one of the main sections of the exhibition.
British Museum, Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG: 1 May – 7 September 2025. Daily: 10.00–17.00 (Fridays: 20.30) Last entry: 16.45 (Fridays: 20.15). Admission: £14.
Booking: https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/hiroshige-artist-open-road
