THIRTY-SIX VIEWS OF FUJI "SURUGA SATTA NO KAIJO" Possibly 1858

Editor: This is Utagawa Hiroshige's woodblock print, "Suruga Satta no Kaijo," from his "Thirty-Six Views of Fuji" series. I am struck by the contrast between the dynamic waves and the serene Mount Fuji in the background. How do you approach the formal qualities of this print? Curator: The dynamism is precisely where we begin. Observe the rhythmic interplay of line and form. How does Hiroshige use the curvilinear lines of the waves to create a sense of movement and depth? Editor: The waves definitely pull my eye forward, almost obscuring the mountain at first. Does the layering create any narrative tension? Curator: Indeed. Note the placement of the mountain – its stability acts as a visual anchor, contrasting with the turbulent foreground. Consider how the artist uses color and composition to evoke a sense of space and atmosphere. Editor: I see how the flat planes of color emphasize the graphic nature of the print. Thanks, this has helped me appreciate the careful construction of the image. Curator: And I hope it has opened your eyes to the power of form.