Vossenvuren op Oudejaarsavond bij de Shozoku netelboom in Oji 1857

This woodblock print by renowned Japanese artist Utagawa Hiroshige (I) captures the beauty of a winter night in Japan. Created in 1857, the artwork depicts a scene of cranes gathered under a bare-branched tree, illuminated by a starry sky. The use of delicate blue and gray tones, reminiscent of the nighttime sky, evokes a sense of serenity and tranquility. The intricate details of the crane’s feathers and the subtle variations in the foliage of the tree demonstrate Hiroshige’s mastery of woodblock printing. The artwork is titled “Vossenvuren op Oudejaarsavond bij de Shozoku netelboom in Oji” and is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum.