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

"The Great Wave off Kanagawa" (Kanagawa oki nami ura), also simply known as "The Great Wave," is an iconic woodblock print by the Japanese ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai. Completed around 1831 during the late Edo period (1603-1868), this work is the first and most famous piece in Hokusai's series "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji" (Fugaku Sanjūrokkei). The series showcases Japan's revered Mount Fuji from various perspectives, with the distinct focus here on the tumultuous sea off the coast of Kanagawa.

Visual Description:

This compelling image captures a giant, frothy wave—its crest curling menacingly, resembling sharp and claw-like forms—looming over three small, fragile boats filled with fishermen. The wave's overwhelming presence and power are juxtaposed against the serene and seemingly indifferent Mount Fuji, whose peak is visible in the background. The palette consists primarily of shades of blue, achieved through the traditional Japanese dye, "Prussian blue," along with touches of grey, white, and muted yellows.

The wave is the main focus, drawing the viewer's eye to its dynamic and chaotic movement. The ferocity of the sea contrasts starkly with the calm, enduring presence of Mount Fuji, symbolizing the struggle between man and nature. Intricately detailed and meticulously composed, the artwork masterfully utilizes line, texture, and composition to convey both the physical force and the aesthetic beauty of the ocean.

Artist and Contextual Information:

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) was a highly influential artist known for his work in the ukiyo-e genre, producing woodblock prints and paintings that epitomize the Edo period’s artistic innovation. Born in Edo (now Tokyo), Hokusai worked under several names and styles throughout his seventy-year career, but "Hokusai" is the name he is best known by.

"The Great Wave off Kanagawa" marks a significant period in Hokusai's life where his focus was deeply entrenched in the depiction of landscapes, moving away from his earlier focus on bijin-ga (images of beautiful women) and theatrical subjects. Embracing the onset of Western artistic influences, Hokusai adopted and mastered the use of linear perspective—a technique that greatly enhanced the spatial depth in his works.

This print is a hallmark of Hokusai's mature style and reflects the era's fascination with nature, spiritual harmony, and human perseverance against seemingly insurmountable odds. It became one of the most recognizable images in Japanese art worldwide, highlighting Hokusai's unparalleled skill in capturing movement and emotion through meticulous craftsmanship.

Current Location and Legacy:

As an ukiyo-e woodblock print, there is no single "original" painting of "The Great Wave off Kanagawa." Instead, numerous impressions of the print were created and distributed. Some of the finest surviving original prints can be found in prestigious institutions such as:

- The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA.
- The British Museum in London, UK.
- The Art Institute of Chicago, USA.
- The National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia.

Hokusai's "The Great Wave" has left an indelible mark on both Japanese and global art history. Its influence extends beyond the traditional art sphere into popular culture, inspiring artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Claude Debussy, and featuring prominently in various media and merchandise around the world. The painting's profound exploration of human resilience and the power of nature continues to captivate audiences, securing its place as a timeless masterpiece of art.