Takinogawa, Ōji (Ōji Takinogawa), from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (Meisho Edo hyakkei) c. 20th century

Editor: This is Utagawa Hiroshige's "Takinogawa, Ōji," from his "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" series. I'm really drawn to the way the artist uses perspective and color to depict this landscape. What strikes you about the composition? Curator: The artwork intrigues through its sophisticated interplay of line and form. Note the elevated viewpoint, a compositional strategy which allows Hiroshige to flatten the picture plane and emphasize the decorative qualities inherent in the landscape. Editor: So, it’s less about realism and more about a constructed view? Curator: Precisely. The color palette, while restrained, serves to delineate the various planes, creating a harmonious yet artificial space. Editor: I see it now. The artificiality makes it captivating!