TOKAIDO GOJU-SAN-TSUGI c. 19th century

Editor: This is Utagawa Hiroshige's "TOKAIDO GOJU-SAN-TSUGI". The figures wading through the water create a sense of movement, but the colors also feel quite muted. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The print showcases a mastery of line and form. Note how the repetition of triangular shapes in the mountains is mirrored, yet varied, by the figures below, creating a visual harmony. What effect does the stark contrast between the dark green mountain top and the pale foreground create for you? Editor: It almost flattens the image, making it feel very graphic. I see how the lines create a sense of depth, though. Curator: Precisely. The artist employs a sophisticated understanding of spatial relationships using line and color to create both flatness and depth. Have you observed how the curvature of the mountain interacts with the linear procession of the figures? Editor: Now that you mention it, the curve of the mountain does seem to guide the eye across the scene. I hadn't noticed the relationship between the shapes until you pointed it out. Curator: Indeed, noticing those relationships enhances our appreciation of the artist's formal decisions.