Hiroshige: Artist of the Open Road

by Alfred Haft, Capucine Korenberg (Primary Contributor)

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

Published June 10, 2025

Reviews

[Rosemary Standeven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hardcover – bought at British Museum exhibition
I had not heard of the Japanese artist Hiroshige before I went to the exhibition of his work at the British Museum in June 2025, but now I am a fan. I just had to have the exhibition book to remind me of his many stunningly beautiful pictures.
Hiroshige was from a low-ranking Samurai family in 19th century Edo (now Tokyo) who specialised in woodcut prints. The prints were produced in large numbers at a reasonable cost, and were available to many members of the public.
Although Hiroshige was working in a politically turbulent time, his pictures of landscapes, people going about daily routines, birds and flowers, are so tranquil – life as it perhaps should be, rather than as it was.
Going through the exhibition, you just felt surrounded by beauty, and at peace. Reading and leafing through this book gave me the same contented feeling.
If you can get to the exhibition – DO GO! If not, try this book, or at least google Hiroshige’s works. Highly recommended.

[Joseph Oddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful collection of artwork, essays could be a bit more informative/insightful though.

[T P Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully produced volume. It falls short of perfection as the range of prints and indeed fans is partial and (to my mind) misses out on some of his finest works. However, the accompanying essays are fantastic and the plates are given justice. I particularly enjoyed the consideration of him huge impact on subsequent artists from Whister to Van Gogh to Yoshi Yoshida. A worthwhile read.

[Jonathan Dunning · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful representation and summary of Hiroshige’s art and life.