Kyoto- The Imperial Palace c. 1840 - 1842

This woodblock print, "Kyoto- The Imperial Palace," by Utagawa Hiroshige, depicts a scene of daily life outside the Imperial Palace in Kyoto. It is one of many Edo-period ukiyo-e prints featuring daily life in the city. The artist's precise detail renders the architectural features of the palace gate, the surrounding structures, and the various figures in their traditional dress, providing a glimpse into the world of the time. Created in the mid-19th century, the work features the vivid color and elegant composition typical of Hiroshige's style, showcasing his mastery of the ukiyo-e art form.