Influence on European art by Hokusai Great wave off Kanagawa


Hokusai's Great Wave off Kanagawa, a woodblock print from the early 19th century, had a significant impact on European art. The print, which depicts a towering wave with Mt. Fuji in the background, was one of a series of images that Hokusai created of Japan's landscape and culture. When Japan opened up to trade with the West in the mid-19th century, these images began to circulate outside of Japan, and they quickly captured the imagination of European artists.

In particular, the Great Wave off Kanagawa had a significant influence on the development of Impressionism, which emerged in Europe in the second half of the 19th century. The print's bold, graphic style, use of color and flatness of forms, as well as its focus on capturing a fleeting moment, inspired many Impressionist artists. Its influence can be seen in the work of artists such as Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh, who both owned copies of the print.

The Great Wave off Kanagawa also had a wider impact on European culture, inspiring a fascination with all things Japanese, which came to be known as Japonism. This influence can be seen in the work of artists and designers such as Édouard Manet, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Gustav Klimt, who incorporated Japanese motifs and aesthetics into their work.

In summary, Hokusai's Great Wave off Kanagawa had a profound impact on European art, contributing to the development of Impressionism and inspiring a wider fascination with Japanese culture and aesthetics.

@Traditional Crafts Japan