Atagoshita and Yabu Lane (Atagoshita Yabukōji), Number 112 from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei) Possibly 1857

Curator: What a serene scene! This is Utagawa Hiroshige's "Atagoshita and Yabu Lane," part of his "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo." It’s held at the Harvard Art Museums, printed on paper, and measures about 35 by 23 centimeters. Editor: It's intensely evocative. The deep blue of the stream against the snow-laden landscape creates a strong sense of cold, but also a quiet stillness. Curator: Hiroshige masterfully uses the snow not just as a setting, but as a symbolic veil, perhaps representing the transience of life and the beauty found even in harsh conditions. The birds add to the charm, don't they? Editor: Definitely. But I’m also struck by how the print captures daily life in Edo, idealizing it even. The figures almost seem to glide through the snow, going about their business in an orderly fashion. It almost feels like propaganda. Curator: I think what endures for me is how Hiroshige transforms a simple lane into a landscape imbued with a timeless quality. Editor: Yes, it's a frozen moment, beautifully preserved and presented.