“12. Ueno Yamashita,” created by the artist Hiroshige in 1857, is a woodblock print belonging to the Ukiyo-e art movement. This landscape artwork is part of the well-known series “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.”
The artwork, rendered in the distinct Ukiyo-e style, depicts a serene and bustling scene at the foot of Ueno Hill in Edo (now Tokyo). The horizon shows tall trees and their foliage highlighted with delicate gradations of green, topped with orange and red hues suggesting the onset of dusk or dawn. In the foreground, vibrant umbrellas are lined up at the lower corners, leading the viewer’s eyes towards a gathering of people engaged in marketplace activities. Buildings with Japanese architectural elements dominate the midground, where signs with Japanese characters indicate vibrant commercial or social establishments. Dense groups of birds are seen taking flight against the pale sky, adding a sense of natural dynamism to the peaceful, yet lively, setting. The composition and color palette reflect the harmonious balance and everyday beauty prominent in Hiroshige’s landscapes.
