In the context of Copies by Vincent van Gogh, explore the Japonaiserie: Bridge in the Rain (after Hiroshige) of the Copies after Utagawa Hiroshige.
Utagawa Hiroshige's Evening Shower at Atake and the Great Bridge woodcut, which he had in his collection,  inspired Van Gogh for its simplicity.  The cloudburst, for instance, is conveyed by parallel lines. Such techniques were revered, but also difficult to execute when creating the wood block stamp for printing.  By making a painting, Van Gogh's brushstrokes "softened the boldness of the Japanese woodcut."  Calligraphic figures, borrowed from other Japanese prints, fill the border around the image.  Rather than following the color patterns of the original woodcut print, he used bright colors or contrasting colors.
Utagawa Hiroshige Hiroshige after Utagawa Hiroshige's Japanese prints Evening Shower at Atake and the Great Bridge Japan woodcut