
Le message de l’hirondelle Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) 1853, éditeur Kitaya Magobei, 22,4 × 28,4 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

Sans titre [La fête de Gion à Kyōto] Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) 1858, éditeur Sagamiya Kyūzō (?), 23,8 × 28,7 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

Les Trente-six génies féminins de la poésie Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) Vers 1843-1846, feuilles d’éventail démontées © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

Sans titre [Pin sous la pleine lune, à travers un store] Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) Vers 1849-1852, éditeur Sanoya Kihei, 23,5 × 30,2 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

La fête de Tanabata à Yushima Série Festivités annuelles dans les sites célèbres d’Edo Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) Vers 1837-1844, éditeur inconnu, 21,5 × 28,4 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

La fête des étoiles à Yanagishima Série Sites célèbres d’Edo associés aux trois astres Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) 1856, éditeur Ibaya Senzaburō, 22,2 × 28,7 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

Marchands prospères du quartier des Musiciens Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) 1853, éditeur Ibaya Senzaburō, 22,3 × 29 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

Le fleuve Fuji-kawa Série Les fleuves sur la route du Tōkaidō Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) Vers 1849-1851, éditeur Kojimaya Jūbei, 22 × 29 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

Le repiquage du riz à Fuchū Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) 1836, éditeur Ibaya Kyūbei, 22,8 × 28,5 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

Pièces de Teriha à la mode. Suite. Le moine qui loge sous un chapeau. Le serviteur à la force factice. Le lieu qui commence par « I » Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) 1857, éditeur Ibaya Senzaburō, 23,2 × 29,9 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

Sans titre [Les divinités du temple d’Asakusa au théâtre] Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) 1846, éditeur Ibaya Senzaburō, 22,7 × 29 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

Le fleuve Tone-gawa à Kōnodai, province de Shimōsa Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) Vers 1849-1851, éditeur inconnu, 22 × 27 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

La danse de la fête des morts Série Collection de danses anciennes Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) Vers 1842-1846, éditeur Ibaya Kyūbei, 21,4 × 24,8 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

L’attaque du char Série Chronique de Tenjin Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) Vers 1851-1852, éditeur Ibaya Senzaburō, 22,5 × 29,4 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

Ide dans la province de Yamashiro et La rivière aux Joyaux de Noda dans la province de Michinoku Série Les Six rivières aux Joyaux des différentes provinces Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) 1855, éditeur Ibaya Senzaburō, 22,8 × 29,8 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

Saigū no nyōgo Série Les Trente-six génies féminins de la poésie Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) Vers 1843-1846, éditeur Enshūya Matabei, 23,3 × 29,2 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

Ukiyo Matahei Série Collection d’artisans célèbres : le peintre Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) 1844 ou 1846, éditeur Ibaya Kyūbei, 22 × 28,8 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza

La rivière Takino-gawa Série Tournée des cascades d’Ōji dans la capitale de l’Est Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) Vers 1849-1852, éditeur Kakutsuji (Iseya Ichiemon), 22,8 × 28,8 cm. © Fundacja Jerzego Leskowicza
For the first time in France, the Musée Guimet is presenting a unique collection of prints by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) intended to decorate fans. Produced between the 1830s and 1850s, they are among the rarest and most elaborate of the artist’s work, one of the last great Japanese artists of the Edo period. The graphics show the diversity of his work, from the famous sites of Edo city and the landscapes of Japanese provinces, to subtle compositions of flowers and birds, to female portraits, historical and literary scenes and parodic images. The works on display come from the Georges Leskowicz Collection, which has one of the finest collections of its kind in the world.
The flat bamboo fan (uchiwa) became popular in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868) and became one of the mediums of expression for the creativity of the masters of the Japanese pictorial school ukiyo-e. Initially sold during the summer by peddlers or in temporary stalls on the occasion of festivals, Edo fans were offered from the end of the 18th century onwards at the front of print and illustrated book dealers, when they started to be signed by famous artists. Disposable objects, these fans have mostly disappeared; the prints that have survived, uncut and in their first edition, are those that were never mounted on their frames, preserved by print publishers or collectors. Many of these works are now unique or preserved in very rare copies around the world.
Hiroshige made more than 650 prints to decorate this everyday accessory. The exhibition on the second floor of the Musée Guimet invites visitors to discover the artist’s great graphic creativity and favourite themes through a selection of some ninety works, among the finest in the Georges Leskowicz Collection, the most important private collection of Hiroshige fan leaves.
Some of the works on display depict famous sites in Edo (now Tokyo). They include city views, pleasure gardens, temples, places of entertainment and excursion, and the “pleasure district” of Yoshiwara. These representations are marked by the seasons, by particular moments of the day, rituals or festivals, and always animated by characters, often female. The landscapes of the provinces of Japan describe, with great documentary fidelity, spas, maritime views, places of pilgrimage, or even the crossing of rivers, which provide so many picturesque scenes. The “world of pleasures” and the fashionable fictional subjects appreciated by the popular public of Edo are also illustrated on Hiroshige’s fans, with a great variety of subjects: elegant female characters, in their daily setting or associated with famous sites, literary themes, classical or from the contemporary repertoire of kabuki theatre, or even burlesque fiction. Finally, bucolic themes composed of flowers, plants, birds and animals also occupy an important place among the prints presented.
Later,
Diane
Diane Pernet
A LEGENDARY FIGURE IN FASHION and a pioneer of blogging, Diane is a respected journalist, critic, curator and talent-hunter based in Paris. During her prolific career, she designed her own successful brand in New York, costume designer, photographer, and filmmaker.