TOKAIDO GOJU-SAN-TSUGI c. 19th century

Curator: This print, titled "Tokaido Goju-San-Tsugi", is from Utagawa Hiroshige's series depicting scenes along the Tokaido Road. Editor: The first thing I notice is the stark contrast of the cool blues and greens against the sandy foreground, giving it a slightly melancholic feel. Curator: Hiroshige's series was immensely popular because it depicted the everyday life of travelers and the working class, reflecting social mobility. Editor: And you can really feel the labor here. The laborers working so hard, the lines stretching across the shore suggesting continuous movement and perhaps even oppression. Curator: The series made landscape art accessible, connecting with a broader audience by portraying familiar scenes of commerce and transit. Editor: It is a powerful snapshot of the relentless drive of society. It makes you consider who is driving and at what cost.