Hiroshige II: An American Woman Rides Sidesaddle with an Elaborate Headdress (SOLD)

Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige II (1826-1869)
Title: 亞墨利加 America: A Woman on Horseback in the Snow
Date: 1860

An American woman pulls on the reins of her horse, which seems to be galloping through the snow. She sits sidesaddle and wears an imagined woven crown of what seems to be green leaves. In these early Yokohama prints,  American women were often depicted wearing this bizarre fashion accessory that may have been inspired by a profile on a U.S. coin. Ukiyo-e artists of the day may also have seen illustrations of Native Americans wearing feathered headdresses. This work dates from the time of the brief fascination with the foreigners, when they first flooded into Yokohama around 1859. 

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition. Some staining to sheet.
Dimensions: ôban (36.7 x 24. 7 cm)
Publisher: Jôshu-ya Juzo
Signature: Ichiyusai Hiroshige-ga

SKU: HII037