Evening Bell at Mii Temple, from the series Eight Views of Omi Province c. late 1830s - early 1840s

"Evening Bell at Mii Temple" is one of the eight woodblock prints that make up the "Eight Views of Omi Province" series by Utagawa Hiroshige. Created sometime between the late 1830s and early 1840s, the artwork captures a serene twilight scene. In the foreground, a winding hillside covered in pine trees leads the eye to a body of water, likely Lake Biwa, where the bell of Mii Temple can be heard. Mount Fuji appears in the distance, adding a majestic backdrop to the scene. Hiroshige was known for his meticulous portrayal of nature and landscapes, often incorporating poetry and calligraphy, as seen in this piece. The "Eight Views of Omi Province" series, inspired by a set of famous Chinese landscape paintings, showcases the beauty of Omi, a region known for its diverse landscapes.