Paris, France (Furansu Parisu no fu), from the series "Collection of Scenic Places in Foreign Lands (Bankoku meisho zukushi no uchi)"

Art Historical Context

Utagawa Yoshitora’s *Paris, France (Furansu Parisu no fu)*, created in 1862, is a captivating color woodblock print from the series *Collection of Scenic Places in Foreign Lands (Bankoku meisho zukushi no uchi)*. As a member of the renowned Utagawa school, Yoshitora specialized in ukiyo-e—pictures of the floating world—often depicting actors, warriors, and urban life. This oban triptych, spanning three large sheets, imagines the grandeur of Paris at a pivotal moment: late Edo-period Japan was emerging from centuries of isolation (sakoku), sparked by Commodore Perry’s arrival in 1853. With limited firsthand knowledge of the West, artists like Yoshitora crafted these exotic vistas from hearsay, maps, and imported images, blending fantasy with budding global curiosity. The print’s artistic techniques showcase ukiyo-e mastery: intricate carving on woodblocks allowed for vibrant, layered colors applied through multiple impressions, creating a dynamic cityscape alive with architectural details like the Eiffel Tower precursor (though built later) and bustling streets. Its triptych format amplified scale and immersion, typical for scenic series. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Arts of Asia department, it highlights how Japanese printmakers bridged Eastern aesthetics with Western allure, foreshadowing Meiji-era modernization. Culturally, this work reflects Japan’s “opening” fascination, turning distant lands into accessible dreams for everyday viewers. A window to the world in ink and paper, it invites us to ponder how art captures the thrill of the unknown.

About the Artist

Utagawa Yoshitora · 1845–1880

Utagawa Yoshitora (歌川 芳虎), also known by his art names Ichimōsai, Mōsai, and Kinchōrō, was a prolific ukiyo-e artist born in Edo (modern Tokyo), where he trained under the renowned Utagawa Kuniyoshi, recognized as his oldest pupil. Little is known of his early life, which remains sparsely documented, but his earliest works include illustrations for the book *Story of Karasu Kanzaemon’s Loyalty* in...