Hokusai: Inspiration and Influence

Thanks to the popularity of the instantly recognizable Great Wave—cited everywhere from book covers to Lego sets, anime, and even an emoji—Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) has become one of the most famous Japanese artists in the world. Hokusai: Inspiration and Influence explores the fascinating life and enduring legacy of this trailblazing master by pairing more than 100 of his woodblock prints, paintings, and illustrated books alongside more than 200 works by his teachers, students, rivals, and admirers. This new approach to presenting Hokusai’s work demonstrates the artist’s impact through centuries and around the globe, on artists including Yoshitomo Nara, Chiho Aoshima, and Helen Frankenthaler.

Exhibition organized by MFA Boston