Hokusai

From 27 March to 29 June, Palazzo Bonaparte hosts the largest exhibition ever dedicated in Italy to Katsushika Hokusai, the undisputed master of Japanese art and icon of global visual culture.

A leading figure in the art of the Edo period, when ukiyo-e reached its peak, the artist depicted the “floating world” through evocative and extraordinarily contemporary works that portray a poetic and authentic Japan. An extraordinary painter and engraver, Hokusai had a profound influence on the Western artistic imagination, helping to shape a visual and musical language that has become universally recognised.

Hokusai, which is the main cultural event of the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and Japan, features over 200 works, displayed for the first time in Italy thanks to an exceptional loan from the National Museum in Krakow, which is presenting in Rome the first international monographic exhibition dedicated to Hokusai outside Poland.

The exhibition path is an evocative journey through the artist's creative universe: from works linked to tradition, such as The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō, to masterpieces such as The Great Wave off Kanagawa and Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, to his most revolutionary works, the famous Manga and other illustrated albums with decorative motifs. It is further enriched by extremely rare books and exquisite Japanese objects – lacquerware, cloisonné enamels, travel accessories, armour, helmets, swords and classical musical instruments – alongside traditional costumes – kimonos, haori jackets and obi sashes – which complete the display, creating an immersive narrative that intertwines art, everyday life and spirituality.

Promoted by the President of the Culture Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, with the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Rome, the Embassy of Japan in Italy, the Regione Lazio and the Municipality of Rome – Department of Culture, the exhibition – curated by Beata Romanowicz – is organised in collaboration with the National Museum in Krakow and produced and organised by Arthemisia. The main partner of the exhibition is Fondazione Terzo Pilastro – Internazionale, with Fondazione Cultura e Arte e Poema.

Photo: Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), The Great Wave off Kanagawa, end 1831, Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series, Colour woodcut print on paper, 25x37.3 cm, National Museum in Krakow