Descending Geese at Katata (Katata no rakugan), from the series Eight Views of Omi Province (Ōmi hakkei) 「堅田落雁」 『近江八景』

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At A Glance

  • Period

    ca. 1834
  • Geography

    Japan
  • Material

    Ink and color on paper
  • Dimension

    H x W: 25.4 x 37.8 cm (10 x 14 7/8 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1980.211
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1980.211

Object Details

  • Artist

    Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重 (1797-1858)
  • Publisher

    Eikyudo
  • Description

    The wide expanse of Lake Biwa is in the foreground. The boats of fishermen lead toward a village on the shore. More sailing boats and ranges of trees are visible in the distance, where imposing mountains rise. A flock of geese descend from the dark, cloudy sky, seeking the distant shore.
  • Signatures

    Signature: "Hiroshige ga"
  • Marks

    Seals: circular, intaglio "Eikyudo" (publisher); circular, relief "kiwame" (censor).
  • Inscriptions

    Series title: Omi Hakkei (no uchi) (Eight Views of Omi Province)
    Series title: Omi Hakkei (no uchi) (Eight Views of Omi Province)
  • Provenance

    Louis V. Ledoux (1880-1948) [1]
    To 1980
    Private collection, to 1980 [2]
    1980
    Freer Gallery of Art, given by a private collector in 1980
    Notes:
    [1] According to the donor, this print was once in the collection of Louis V. Ledoux.
    A detailed comparison between this print and the same print illustrated in the catalogue of the Ledoux collection substantiate this provenance; see Louis V. Ledoux, Japanese Prints in the Collection of Louis V. Ledoux vol. V: Hokusai and Hiroshige (Princeton University Press, 1951) no. 27 (see also, Curatorial Note 2, A. Yonemura, 1981, in object record).
    [2] See note 1.
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    An American in London: Whistler and the Thames (May 3 to August 17, 2014)
    The Floating World: Ukiyo-e Paintings and Prints (December 8, 2002 to May 26, 2003)
    Whistler & Japan (May 14, 1995 to January 1, 1996)
    Famous Places of Japan (October 17, 1985 to February 13, 1986)
    Japanese Prints (December 21, 1981 to March 31, 1982)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Louis V. Ledoux (1880-1948)
    Anonymous
  • Origin

    Japan
  • Credit Line

    Anonymous gift
  • Type

    Print
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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