A Watershed Moment for Art: Japanese print maker Hokusai

I took a trip to Japan that was fueled by disaster: flood earthquakes, tsunami and the like.

So, I guess that is where it first impressed upon me a Japanese obsession of water in earthquake thrust tsunamis. Nineteeth century proto-impressionist Hokusai was also impressed by power in water.

But, I did not know this history of how the wave of art leaving Japan after Hokusai helped herald the massive movement of Impressionism in Europe and across the world.

Here are some curated talks and more beautiful images from Boston Fine Arts:

Turns out, the Japanese print maker Hokusai had a massive effect on currents in world and western art scenes that are still rippling onto our shores today.

Isn't it lovely to discover new ways so much of our world benefits from connectedness?


http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20150409-the-wave-that-swept-the-world