The largest collection of Utagawa Hiroshige’s work to be shown in London for 25 years will open at the British Museum this May, featuring several prints believed to be the only surviving examples of their kind. The exhibition marks a significant moment for Japanese art in Britain, with many pieces being displayed publicly for the first time.
“Hiroshige: artist of the open road” will showcase the master artist’s ability to capture Japan during a pivotal period of change in the 19th century. Working in the final decades of Japan’s Edo period, Hiroshige created approximately 5,000 woodblock print designs that documented everything from bustling city life to serene natural landscapes.
The exhibition has been made possible through an extraordinary gift from American collector Alan Medaugh, who has donated 35 prints to the Museum and loaned an additional 82 pieces. “I have had the privilege of collecting Hiroshige’s works for over 50 years,” says Medaugh, “and it is my sincere hope that by sharing these pieces I can help reveal the timeless beauty and depth of his artistry.”
Among the exhibition’s highlights are rare fan prints, which offer a unique glimpse into everyday art in Edo-period Japan. These practical, affordable pieces represented Hiroshige’s commitment to creating accessible art for a popular audience, despite his samurai background.
The show will also feature pristine examples from his famous series “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” and “Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Highway,” alongside exquisite bird-and-flower prints that combine artistic elegance with Japanese poetry.
Curator Alfred Haft notes that Hiroshige’s work provided “aesthetic pleasure and emotional solace to people at every level of society in an age of transformation.” His influence extended far beyond Japan, inspiring European masters like Van Gogh and Whistler, and continues to influence contemporary artists worldwide.
Due to the delicate nature of the works, the Museum will conduct a careful rotation of prints halfway through the exhibition’s run, closing briefly from June 30 to July 4, 2025. This conservation measure ensures these rare pieces will be preserved for future generations while allowing as many works as possible to be displayed.
The exhibition runs from May 1 to September 7, 2025, with tickets starting at £14. Under-16s enter free when accompanied by a paying adult, and students can access 2-for-1 tickets on Fridays.