Hiroshige: Plum Estate, Kameido (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige
Title: Plum Estate, Kameido
Series: One Hundred Famous Views of Edo: Meisho Edo Hyakkei
Date: 1857, 11th month

Closeup of the most famous tree in Edo, Garyubai, the “Sleeping Dragon Plum”. One of the most celebrated views in this exceptional series, made even more famous by Vincent van Gogh when he paid homage to the work with an oil painting in 1877. Henry Smith calls this “one of the most stunning compositions of the entire series”. Hiroshige’s eye for detail is also evident: along the left side we see a wooden signboard that bears the title “Garyûbai”. The moniker is earned by the unusual pattern of growth of this tree, where branches of the tree would droop to the ground, enter the soil, and re-emerge as new trunks. Hiroshige also paid note to this detail, along with the low fence that kept visitors at a distance.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Large, untrimmed margins.
Dimensions: ôban (37.2 x 25.3 cm)
Publisher: Uoya Eikichi
Literature: Henry Smith II: “Hiroshige One Hundred Famous View of Edo”, number 30.
Seal: Aratame & Snake Year/11th month (1857)
Signature: Hiroshige ga

SKU: HIR465