Lot 760
  • 760

ANDŌ HIROSHIGE (1797-1858) 'SUDDEN SHOWER OVER THE OHASHI BRIDGE, ATAKE', FROM THE SERIES ONE HUNDRED FAMOUS VIEWS OF EDO, 1857

Estimate
300,000 - 400,000 HKD
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Description

  • paper
titled ohashi atake no yudachi, censor's seal aratame, date seal: snake 9 [1857], signed Hiroshige ga

Condition

Very good impression and colours, good margins. Some little colour retouching in the blue between the beams of the bridge.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

A yudachi is a sudden and brief torrential downpour, occurring usually towards the end of a sultry summer day.  Rain is a frequent subject throughout ukiyo-e, treated ingeniously by Harunobu, Kiyonaga, Utamaro, Shuman, Choki and Shuncho, to name but a few artists.  Hiroshige gained a reputation as a master of the depiction of rain, snow and the moon.  Two other famous images of rain are his Shono, from the series 'The Fifty-three Stations on the Tokaido Road' (see lots 761 and 765 in this sale) and Karasakino yau (Night Rain at Karasaki), from the series `The Eight Views of Lake Biwa (Omi)', both circa 1834.

Universally considered the masterpiece of the series, this print has been repeatedly reproduced in all the standard reference works. For a comparison of the different versions, see Forrer, nos.94 and 95. Van Gogh copied this in oils.