Egrets amid Irises and Grasses
A pair of egrets stands amid irises in bloom, indicating a summer setting. Egrets and other types of white herons (shirasagi) were celebrated in the East Asian tradition as noble birds, praiseworthy for their snowy white feathers and their ability to stay clean despite foraging in muddy waters. They symbolize moral uprightness, as evoked in the accompanying Chinese poem.
Artwork Details
- 歌川広重画 花菖蒲に白鷺
- Title: Egrets amid Irises and Grasses
- Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1797–1858 Tokyo (Edo))
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: ca. 1830s–1842
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
- Dimensions: Chūban; 10 1/8 x 7 1/2 in. (25.7 x 19.1 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1918
- Object Number: JP248
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1797–1858 Tokyo (Edo))
1817–58
Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1797–1858 Tokyo (Edo))
ca. 1834
Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1797–1858 Tokyo (Edo))
ca. 1834
Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1797–1858 Tokyo (Edo))
ca. 1835
Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1797–1858 Tokyo (Edo))
ca. 1832
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.