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Artist
Hiroshige III, 1843 - 1894
Sitter
Ulysses Simpson Grant, 27 Apr 1822 - 23 Jul 1885
Julia Boggs Dent Grant, 26 Jan 1826 - 14 Dec 1902
Date
c. 1879
Type
Print
Medium
Multi-colored woodblock on paper
Dimensions
Image: 35.8 x 75.8cm (14 1/8 x 29 13/16")
Sheet: 37.1 x 25.4cm (14 5/8 x 10")
Mat: 52.1 x 90.8cm (20 1/2 x 35 3/4")
Topic
Nature & Environment\Plant\Tree
Costume\Dress Accessory\Fan
Home Furnishings\Lighting Devices\Lantern
Human Figures\Soldier
Symbols & Motifs\Flag\National\Japanese
Triptych
Julia Boggs Dent Grant: Female
Julia Boggs Dent Grant: Politics and Government\First Lady\First Lady of US
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of War
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Politics and Government\President of US
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Congressional Gold Medal
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.76.57
Exhibition Label
“My visit to Japan has been the most pleasant of all my travels,” wrote Ulysses S. Grant in a letter. “The country is beautifully cultivated, the scenery is grand . . . . My reception and entertainment has been the most extravigant [sic] I have ever known, or even read, of.” Following their eight years in the White House, he and First Lady Julia Grant spent three months in Japan, where they were hosted by Emperor Meiji (1852–1912).
In this colorful print, artist Hiroshige III shows them together on the balcony (right), viewing the Japanese government’s presentation of Kabuki, a popular form of drama with stylized singing and dancing, and an evening lantern procession. This example belongs to a series by the Utagawa School artist that focused on Emperor Meiji’s efforts to modernize Japan, which ranged from the education system to the military and sciences.
Hiroshige III (1843–1894)
“Mi visita a Japón ha sido mi viaje más placentero”, escribió Ulysses S. Grant en una carta. “El país está cultivado con exquisitez, los paisajes son magníficos [...]. Mi recibimiento y agasajo han sido los más extravagantes que he visto, incluso en los libros”. Después de sus ocho años en la Casa Blanca, Grant y la primera dama Julia Grant pasaron tres meses en Japón, donde los acogió el emperador Meiji (1852–1912).
En esta colorida estampa, el artista Hiroshige III los muestra en el balcón (derecha), viendo un desfile del gobierno japonés con actores de kabuki (popular género teatral con cantos y bailes estilizados) y una procesión de faroles. La obra pertenece a una serie de este artista de la escuela Utagawa que ilustra los esfuerzos del emperador Meiji por modernizar a Japón en áreas desde el sistema de educación hasta el ejército y las ciencias.
