The Great Wave off Kanagawa, by Katsushika Hokusai, 1831.
This copy resides at the Art Institute of Chicago.
The Japanese woodblock print, created by the artist in 1831, has touched every corner of the world.
“The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” by Katsushika Hokusai, 1831. This copy resides at the Art Institute of Chicago. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
From 100-year-olddiamond tiarasto modern-dayJapanese currencyand evenLEGO sets.
There are few realms of art and culture immune to the wave.
The woodblock print depicts two boats rocking on an extreme, cresting wave.
Behind the stormy sea is a snowy peak, that of Mount Fuji.
Hence the name of the series in which the work belongs:Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.
A particularly lucky museum, the Art Institute of Chicago has three of these elusive copies.
But they are far from photo copies.
As the woodblock was repeatedly used to make prints, it wore down.
Therefore the later of the three shows gaps in lines and less sharp precision due to this wear.
Despite having three copies, the museum must be judicious with its treasures.
The dyes used to color the works are light sensitive.
After over five years, one of the three prints is emerging from the depths of the collection.
It will be on display until January 6, 2025.
