“The Great Wave off Kanagawa” by Katsushika Hokusai
Christie’s announced that a rare complete set from the painter’s monumental series will be auctioned in New York City in March 2024. Hokusai“Fugaku sanjurokkei” (Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji), which goes on sale for the first time in two decades.
This is a series of 46 wood engravings created between 1830 and 1833 by the artist Katsushika Hokusai. This series was “a huge success in its time and has become one of the most recognizable, reproduced and influential works of art of all time,” the auctioneer reported in a statement.
The most famous print in the series is The big wave off Kanagawa also called “The Great Wave”, a postcard that has become a milestone in art history, reused countless times and in recent years even recreated in green by feminist movements.
Before the auction, the series will be part of a world tour to promote it to the public – and potential buyers – which already includes a stop in the city of Tokyo and Hong Kong, where it is now and until December 1, 2023; and Paris from December 8th to 12th.
“Umegawa in Sagami Province,” from the series 36 Views of Mount Fuji
As part of a live auction to be held in March 2024 during the Week of Asian Arts in New York, Christie’s will sell the set of 36 views of Mount Fuji – property of a major West Coast collection – valued at between 3,000,000 and 5,000. Auction for $000.
“The last time a complete set of the 36 views of Mount Fuji came to market was 20 years ago. “I urge everyone who is able to take advantage of this unique opportunity to view this series of masterpieces in person at Christie’s galleries around the world,” said Takaaki Murakami, Art Director for Japan and Korea at Christie’s.
Hokusaithe author of The Great Wave, was one of the most important artists associated with the style called Ukiyo-e (“Images of the Floating World”), which developed in Japan between the 17th and 20th centuries.
These prints sought to reflect the happiness conveyed by fleeting moments such as landscapes, theatrical scenes, traditions or various festivals, as well as Mount Fuji and its vistas, making Katsushika Hokusai one of the painters most admired by Impressionist artists.
Source: Telam