Plum Orchard in Kameido
after Hiroshige

Plum Orchard in Kameido after Hiroshige -size reference-

I chose Plum Orchard in Kameido at the same time as the Great Wave, at the very beginning of my 100 Views of Ukiyo-e project. I knew I had to do at least those two views. Plum Orchard is something I admired through the works of other authors, through Van Gogh´s interpretation Flowering Plum Tree, and I had this feeling that I understood the qualities that Van Gogh saw in this Hiroshige´s work.

Hanami (flower viewing) is usually associated with sakura (cherry blossom) viewing, but it´s also associated with ume (plum blossom) viewing often called umemi (plum viewing). Plum orchard in Kameido was famous for his Garyubai, Sleeping Dragon Plum, which was usual topic of Hiroshige´s work. To me this ceremony evokes enlightenment and therefore I have treated people in the background as pilgrims caught in ancient sacred ceremony.

Technique: acrylic on canvas

Size: 177 x 120 cm (69.68 x 47.24 inch)

Year: October 2009

Availability: In Private Collection


100 Views of Ukiyo-e

During my exploration of the beginning of modern art (Impressionism and Post-Impressionism) I found myself surrounded by beautiful views of Ukiyo-e prints. They were my explanation to everything: modern/contemporary painting, design, illustration, comics and animation. Even more, I had to tell that to everyone. Firstly, I did impressions/interpretations of famous works of Hiroshige and Hokusai, but I couldn´t stop there… I finally found my call.100 Views of Ukiyo-e is my life mission to re-create new originals of selected 100 Ukiyo-e prints, new original painting in new oban size. It is divided in 4 Volumes of 25 canvases, some of the forming diptychs or triptychs. So far I have finished the first set that introduces several masters, styles and topics.

A review by Amalija Stojsavljević, art historian can be read here.


Volume I – Masters

The First Volume of series of paintings of the 100 Views of Ukiyo-e. This initial set was a practical part of my magistrate thesis in Arts at Academy of Fine Arts, Sarajevo. I tried to introduce great masters of Ukiyo-e, specific styles and topics from its begging to the end.

100 Views of Ukiyo-e, Volume I: Masters Exhibition Catalogue for Web