1. Nihonbashi. Clearing After Snow 1857

Utagawa Hiroshige created this woodblock print, "Nihonbashi. Clearing After Snow," where the dominant blues and whites evoke a serene, crisp atmosphere. Notice how the composition is cleverly structured: The bridge cuts horizontally across the frame, acting as a visual anchor, while Mount Fuji sits distantly in the background. The water, rendered in deep blues, contrasts with the snow-covered rooftops. Hiroshige masterfully plays with perspective. The bridge and river guide our eyes into the distance, yet the scene also feels deliberately flattened, a characteristic of ukiyo-e prints. This flattening isn't a flaw, but a choice. It emphasizes surface and pattern over illusionistic depth, challenging Western notions of pictorial space. Consider, too, the semiotic implications: the bridge symbolizing connection, the snow connoting purity, and Fuji, a symbol of Japan itself. These signs intertwine, creating a complex interplay of meaning. In its delicate balance of form and sign, the artwork invites constant re-evaluation.