Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"Fine Wind, Clear Morning" (also known as "South Wind, Clear Sky" or "Red Fuji") is one of the most celebrated works by the Japanese ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai. Part of his renowned series "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji", this print exemplifies Hokusai's profound mastery in capturing the magnificence and mystique of Mount Fuji, a symbol deeply entrenched in Japanese culture and spirituality.

- Mount Fuji: The central focus of the painting is Mount Fuji, depicted in an ethereal reddish hue that signifies the early morning sunlight striking its slopes. The red tones emerge vividly from the peak, symbolizing the transient but awe-inspiring beauty of nature.
- Sky: Contrasting the warm tones of the mountain, the sky above is painted in a soft gradient of blues with a few wisps of delicate clouds trailing across, indicating a clear, peaceful day. This clear sky reinforces the tranquility and sacredness of the scene.
- Foreground: The base of the mountain is enveloped in darker, forest-green tones, providing a stark contrast that accentuates the sacred peak's color transformation. Tiny details of trees and habitations are nestled within the darker slopes, emphasizing the grandeur of Mount Fuji.
- Perspective: Hokusai employs a dynamic perspective that conveys both the immense stature of the mountain and the vastness of the surrounding landscape. The simplicity of the composition, with the near-monolithic presence of Mount Fuji dominating the view, invites viewers to contemplate its spiritual significance.

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) was a prominent figure in the ukiyo-e movement, a genre of Japanese art that flourished from the 17th to 19th centuries. Ukiyo-e translates to "pictures of the floating world," and these works often featured landscapes, tales from history, kabuki actors, and courtesans. Hokusai's diverse body of work and innovative techniques left an indelible mark on both Japanese and Western art.

"Fine Wind, Clear Morning" is part of Hokusai's "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji," a series created between 1830-1832 during the Edo period. This series is pivotal in Hokusai’s career, showcasing his preoccupation with capturing the natural beauty of Japan and Mount Fuji's iconographic significance. The print epitomizes his blend of bold composition, keen observation, and delicate gradations of color, which were revolutionary at the time.

"Fine Wind, Clear Morning" exists as a woodblock print, rather than a one-off painting, enabling wide dissemination. Original prints from the series are collected by numerous prestigious institutions around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the British Museum in London, and the Tokyo National Museum.

- Production Technique: The ukiyo-e process involves highly skilled craftsmanship, from carving the woodblocks to applying multiple layers of color with exact precision. Hokusai worked closely with artisans to produce his prints, ensuring that his artistic vision was faithfully executed.
- Cultural Significance: Mount Fuji is a potent symbol in Japanese culture, embodying national identity, spiritual elevation, and natural beauty. Hokusai's depiction extends beyond mere representation, capturing an almost spiritual reverence for the peak.
- Influence: "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji," including "Fine Wind, Clear Morning," had a significant influence on Western artists, particularly during the Japonisme movement in the late 19th century. Artists like Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet drew inspiration from Hokusai’s compositions and his use of color and line.

In sum, "Fine Wind, Clear Morning" is a masterful work that represents the pinnacle of Katsushika Hokusai's genius. Through its meticulous composition and emotive use of color, the piece invites viewers into a moment of serene beauty and contemplation, echoing the timeless veneration of Mount Fuji.