Scene of the Moat
Medium
landscapes
Classification
landscapes
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of the Estate of Mrs. Robert H. Patterson
Accession Number
1941-31-257
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Ando Hiroshige (1797–1858) was a master of ukiyo-e, the Japanese woodblock print tradition that flourished during the Edo period (1603–1868). Renowned for his evocative landscapes, Hiroshige captured the transient beauty of nature and everyday scenes with poetic sensitivity. *Scene of the Moat*, of the Smithsonian American Art's collection, exemplifies his focus on serene, atmospheric vistas—likely depicting a tranquil moat scene, a motif evoking Japan's castle landscapes and watery fortifications. Hiroshige's genius lay in his innovative use of perspective, bold color gradients, and subtle a...