Flowers – Hokusai

Flowers – Hokusai – 1827-1839

When you think of Japanese prints such as Flowers by Hokusai, it is often the same name that comes to mind. He was well-known as the "Crazy Old Draftsman" and he lived during the Edo era, a long period in Japanese history when foreign travelers were not allowed and leaving the country was also prohibited. He is known as one of the precursors of Japonism.

Japonism is the influence of Japanese art on writers and artists, particularly in France and the Western world from 1860 to 1890. Hokusai himself was instrumental in popularizing manga, even though he was not its inventor. Surprisingly, it is at the international level that he first gained recognition. In fact, many Japonism artists went unrecognized in Japan, as their art was often considered to be light and popular, rather than serious and important. Luckily, Japonisme helped preserve these works, allowing Japanese people to appreciate their national artists.

Until today, Hokusai still plays an important role in Japanese culture throughout the world, with an estimated 30,000 drawings left behind.

Category: Hokusai paintings

Original size 25 x 36.1 cm
© The Art Institute of Chicago