955 - Antique color woodblock print by Utagawa Toyohiro

Antique color woodblock print by Utagawa Toyohiro Japan, 1773/1774–1828/1830. Color woodblock print on washi (Japanese paper), mounted on silk and designed as a hanging scroll. Dimensions of the sheet: 27 x 20 cm. Signed lower right: Toyohiro ga. Condition: Significant signs of age and wear. With wormholes, tears, paper browning, and color loss. In need of restoration. Utagawa Toyohiro (1773/1774–1828/1830) was a prominent artist of the Utagawa school and a key figure in the development of ukiyo-e woodblock prints. He is particularly known for his travel scenes and book illustrations. He also played an important role as the teacher of the famous master Utagawa Hiroshige. His works form a bridge between the elegant style of the 18th century and the more dynamic landscape tradition that reached its heyday in the 19th century. Toyohiro’s prints are prized for their art-historical significance, their high artistic quality, and their relative rarity. His works are particularly sought after by collectors of Japanese woodblock prints and are considered important examples of the early Utagawa school.