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UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE II (1826 - 1869) A BOATMAN SITS BEFORE AN OPEN FIRE PREPARING TO SEAL HIS BOAT
Woodcut, from the series 'Thirty-six Views of Edo', published by Aito, 1859-1862. Signed 'Hiroshige ga'. Very good impression and colours, remargined, otherwise in good condition. 'Oban', 360 x 240 mm, including made up margins. PROVENANCE: Henri Vever (1854-1943), Lugt Supp. 1381b.

Shigenobu (his original name was Chinpei Suzuki), was Hiroshige's most competent pupil. He was integrated into the family and was adopted by the great master when his own son had died in 1845. After the master's death, Shigenobu married Otatsu, an adopted daughter of Hiroshige I and took his master's 'go'. Hiroshige II continued the landscape style of Hiroshige and tried to continue the formula of success by publishing more 'Famous Views of ...' landscape series.