Hokusai

Description: 2023, ed. Taschen. The author studied at Tokyo University of Arts and has a doctorate in Japanese art history. Being part of the Taschen collection, the book has impeccable quality and a good balance between text and images. It is a good opportunity for a wider exposure to the life and work of Hokusai (1760-1849). In reality, the name of the Japanese painter was completely different (most likely, Kawamura Tokitaro), but in his time it was common for artists to use several names throughout their careers. This has created some difficulties in correctly identifying some works, but we leave this aspect to the specialists. Considering that he started drawing/painting at the age of 6, in his uncle’s studio, in Edo (today’s Tokyo, where he carried out most of his activity, in Sumida, where the dedicated museum is also located), he had a long artistic activity of over 80 years, during which it is estimated that he produced over 30,000 drawings/works. It falls within the Ukiyo-e movement, which reflected the Japanese daily life of the period, from sumo to kabuki, from agricultural activities to geisha parties, a movement that had remarkable influences in the second half of the 19th century on European painting, especially in impressionism. It captures the wide range of projects in which Hokusai was involved, beyond the more famous paintings. He created many comics, illustrated textbooks about plants or animals, and even approached erotic painting (obviously, we are only talking about ukiyo-e, meaning floating world!). Another interesting aspect: in turn, Hokusai was influenced by European painting, especially in architecture and landscapes (especially by Dutch painters, knowing that the Netherlands managed to maintain more trade relations with Japan during the two and a half centuries of isolation). And another trivia: around 1810 (around 50 years old), he was apparently struck by lightning, which is said to have changed his life.

Year: 2023

MyRating (1-5): ****