Sparrows and Bamboo in Snow

Monet famously painted variations of the same subject to explore how changing light, weather, and time alter our perception of color. Hiroshige and his publishers similarly experimented with different color schemes for the same design to create distinct atmospheric effects. Lots 78 and 79 offer a compelling example. Lot 78 was printed against a dark background, suggesting an evening scene or perhaps the dim light of a heavy snowstorm. Lot 79, by contrast, features a bright blue background, evoking daylight. Even the colors on the sparrows’ backs differ between the two impressions, possibly adjusted to harmonize with their respective palettes.