Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) was a painter and printmaker of
the Edo period who popularized Japanese Art in the
20th Century Occident and his undoubtedly the most famous Japanese artist.
His work, rich in
30,000 drawings influenced many Impressionnist artists who quickly learnt from the
artist: framing, attention to detail and originality of colourful displays. His
works included scenes from everyday life, illustrations from contemporary
literature, landscapes, flowers and birds and manga. Thirty-six views of Mount
Fuji (1831-1833) actually counted 46 prints and Kanagawa's Great Wave (1831)
are his best-known works.