Evening Shower over Ōhashi Bridge and Atake Possibly 1857 - 1859

Curator: Utagawa Hiroshige’s "Evening Shower over Ōhashi Bridge and Atake," likely created between 1857 and 1859, immediately evokes a distinct atmosphere. Editor: It does—a mood of almost melancholic beauty. The way the rain is depicted, those forceful vertical lines, lends the whole scene a weight and solemnity. Curator: Precisely. Note how the artist uses the falling rain not only to create this mood, but also to visually structure the composition. The verticality of the rain contrasts elegantly with the horizontal emphasis of the bridge. Editor: The bridge construction itself is fascinating, the way those supports plunge into the water. One imagines the labour involved in its creation, the community dependent on its use and durability. Those deep, repeating diagonal patterns are quite mesmerizing to examine and provide much needed visual grounding to contrast the heavy vertical rains. Curator: Certainly. The woodblock printing technique, allowing for such intricate lines and patterns, demonstrates a masterful control over form. The arrangement also creates depth; figures on the bridge are foregrounded against the suggestion of the distant shore in the background. Editor: The sheer amount of manual labor required is implied but, looking closer, do we really understand what quality of lumber the woodblocks are made of, and its influence on the final print outcome? What was the nature of labor here: Guild or something less regulated? Curator: It’s a worthy consideration. What strikes me still is the reduction to simple geometric forms, the formal arrangement that moves from distinct shapes into suggestions of the human element under the weather. Editor: So while we contemplate the artist’s technique and compositional strategies, let’s consider the tangible resources. Labor, raw materials…these bring a critical perspective. Curator: Ultimately, I am struck by the elegance, even in such a somber scene. Editor: Indeed, contemplating its production adds to my appreciation.