View of the Tama River

Utagawa Hiroshige was among the foremost Japanese painters and woodblock print designers of the 19th century. Although Hiroshige is best known for his work in the popular culture-influenced Ukiyo-e style, this river landscape is painted in a style derived from Chinese painting. Like many famous artists of his time, Hiroshige employed a large workshop of students and apprentices who helped him to satisfy the tremendous demand for his images. All of the paintings and prints produced by this workshop typically bore the master's signature and seal, even if, as was probably the case with this painting, Hiroshige's personal involvement in the production process was minimal.