ArtistAndo Hiroshige (1797-1858) Ryogoku Hashi Noryo (Evening Cooling at Ryogoku Bridge) from the series Edo Meisho (Famous Views of Edo)

Date c.1840
Materials colour woodcut: printed in colours on Japanese paper
Dimensions 22.9 cm x 34.9 cm
Marks
Further information GLAHA 18726.

Note The Ryogoku Bridge over the Sumida river, shown in this print, was famous for its annual firework display. Whistler was influenced by Japanese prints such as this one. Indeed, he owned a number of prints by Hiroshige. Whistler’s own paintings of Battersea Bridge are similar. Both focus on the decorative patterning of the bridges’ supports and show the top of the bridge as a simplified, wide arc. Like Hiroshige, Whistler also painted a number of scenes with fireworks [link – Painting/City and the Sea/Nocturnes/YMSM 170].

Related works YMSM 139, 140, 170.