Summer Evening at Ryōgoku Bridge, from the series... c. 19th century

Editor: This is Utagawa Hiroshige's "Summer Evening at Ryogoku Bridge." The woman in the foreground gives the image a sense of poised grace, but I’m curious about the scene unfolding behind her. What can you tell me about the social context of this image? Curator: Certainly. Hiroshige captured a vibrant aspect of Edo period urban life. The Ryogoku Bridge was a popular gathering place for all social classes. Editor: So, the people swimming were common? Curator: Yes, and the woman's presence near them tells us something about the complex social interactions in public spaces, and that Hiroshige does not turn away from showing these scenes. Editor: That's fascinating. I didn't realize this print captured so much about Edo society. Curator: Indeed, and it invites us to think about how art shapes our perception of history.