Lake Suwa in Shinano Province Possibly 1858

Utagawa Hiroshige created this woodblock print of Lake Suwa in Shinano Province in the 19th century. A serene vista unfolds before us: from the foreground’s verdant field dotted with delicate trees, our eyes are drawn across the expansive lake to the majestic mountains and the iconic, snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji in the distance. Hiroshige masterfully manipulates perspective and depth. The composition is structured by a play of near and far, with the foreground elements rendered in sharp detail, gradually softening as they recede into the background, which creates a sense of atmospheric perspective. Notice how Hiroshige employs the visual system of signs inherent in ukiyo-e to create a space that is both real and imagined. The artist flattens the picture plane, collapsing depth to emphasize surface design. Yet, the careful arrangement of elements draws the viewer’s eye through the landscape, creating a harmonious balance between representation and artifice. The formal structure is the true subject of the print. It invites us to contemplate the interplay between nature and artifice, representation and abstraction.