Which Japanese artist painted The Great Wave of Kanagawa?
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The Great Wave of Kanagawa is an iconic Japanese print created by Katsushika Hokusai in 1831. The work is part of the Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji series, in which Hokusai explores different perspectives of Mount Fuji, Japan’s sacred mountain.
Born in 1760 in Edo (now Tokyo), Hokusai is one of the most famous artists of ukiyo-e, a Japanese art movement that means “images of the floating world”. This movement focused on depictions of everyday life, landscapes, kabuki actors and courtesans. Hokusai began his artistic apprenticeship at the age of 14 and worked under different names throughout his career, reflecting his artistic evolution.
This print depicts a huge wave threatening to submerge three boats, with Mount Fuji visible in the background. The bold use of perspective and color, particularly Prussian blue, lends the work remarkable depth and dynamics. The composition illustrates the power of nature in the face of human frailty, a recurring theme in Japanese art.
The Great Wave of Kanagawa had a considerable influence on Western art, particularly on Impressionists such as Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh. The work contributed to the spread of Japanese art in Europe in the 19th century. Today, this print is one of the most widely reproduced images in the world, symbolizing both Japanese culture and the universality of art.
With The Great Wave of Kanagawa, Katsushika Hokusai left an indelible mark on the history of art, transcending cultural and temporal boundaries.
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Which Japanese artist painted The Great Wave of Kanagawa?
Answer
Katsushika Hokusai is the Japanese artist who created The Great Wave of Kanagawa in 1831.