Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) was groundbreaking at his time. He had a major impact on the development of Japanese art. He was innovative in his use of color, composition, and subject matter, and his work influenced many subsequent artists. Hokusai’s images of landscapes, nature, and everyday life have almost become synonymous with traditional Japanese art, and his influence can be seen in everything from anime and manga to contemporary graphic design.
From now until July 16, 2023, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Boston presents a new exhibition, “Hokusai: Inspiration and Influence,” featuring this beloved Japanese artist. Hokusai, one of the most famous and influential artists of all time, is widely acknowledged for his iconic Under the Wave off Kanagawa, or The Great Wave (1830-31), which is recognizable everywhere from brand logos and Lego sets to emojis and Japanese anime. The exhibition explores Hokusai’s impact by taking a new approach to this endlessly versatile and creative artist, both during his lifetime and beyond. The MFA writes, “More than 100 woodblock prints, paintings, and illustrated books by Hokusai are on view alongside about 200 works by his teachers, students, rivals, and admirers, creating juxtapositions that demonstrate his influence through time and space.” In addition to his own works, you can take in the full scope of Hokusai’s lasting legacy in works by among others, his daughter Katsushika Ōi, and his contemporaries Utagawa Hiroshige and Utagawa Kuniyoshi.
He was a prolific artist who produced a vast array of works over his long career, spanning more than 70 years. He was born in Edo (now Tokyo), Japan, into an artisan family. Hokusai’s father was a mirror-maker, and as a child, Hokusai was apprenticed to a wood-carver. Working to learn the craft of woodblock making, by the age of 18 he had become an apprentice in the studio of Katsukawa Shunshō, a prominent ukiyo-e artist. Under Shunshō’s tutelage, Hokusai learned the traditional techniques of ukiyo-e, which translates to “pictures of the floating world,” a style of woodblock print art that depicted the pleasures and diversions of the urban lifestyle in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868). However, Hokusai was not content to simply follow in his master’s footsteps. He was constantly experimenting with new styles and techniques, and he soon began to develop his own distinctive style as an inventive artist of his own right.
In 1814, Hokusai published the Hokusai Manga, a collection of sketches, drawings, and caricatures that showcased his vast artistic range, whose title eventually influenced the modern form of Japanese comics known by the same name of “manga.” The book was an instant success, and Hokusai became known throughout Japan as a master of the art of drawing. Over the next several decades, Hokusai produced a vast array of works, including paintings, prints, illustrated books, and manga. As a master of the ukiyo-e style, Hokusai’s images of landscapes, nature, and everyday life have become synonymous with Japanese art. The peak of his artistic career arrived in the 1820s, when he produced the most widely-known series of landscape prints, Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, including the famous Great Wave, which features the iconic volcano from different perspectives and in various weather conditions.
Hokusai’s work was not only influential in Japan but also played a significant role in the development of Japonisme, the French artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th century. Japonisme was characterized by a fascination with Japanese art, culture, and aesthetics and had a profound impact on Western art, particularly the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements. Hokusai’s use of bold colors, flattened perspectives, and intricate patterns was particularly influential in Japonisme, and his work helped to shape the way Western artists thought about art and design. His distinctive style has influenced artists around the world, from Vincent Van Gogh to contemporary artists such as Takashi Murakami. Hokusai’s work has also been the subject of numerous exhibitions and publications, and his prints remain highly collectible and sought after by art lovers and collectors alike. On March 23, 2023, a version of The Great Wave was sold for a record-high $2.8 million at a Christie’s auction.
Despite his tremendous success, Hokusai’s life was not without struggles. He suffered numerous setbacks throughout his career, including personal and financial problems, and he was forced to move frequently throughout his life. However, he never lost his passion for art, and he continued to produce works of extraordinary beauty and power until his death in 1849.
