ART NEWS | HOKUSAI'S MASTERPIECES ARRIVE IN LONDONHOKUSAI: Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji
ART NEWS | HOKUSAI'S MASTERPIECES ARRIVE IN LONDON
My fascination with Japanese woodblock prints began many years ago, when I was Vice President of Marketing for Pepsi-Cola Food Services in Asia-Pacific, based in Sydney. Travelling to Japan almost every month, I was introduced to the extraordinary world of Japanese printmaking and became so captivated that I began collecting prints myself. It was during those visits that I first discovered the artist who would become one of my great printmaking heroes, Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849).
So I am particularly delighted that Dulwich Picture Gallery in London is presenting Hokusai: Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji from the Iuchi Collection, bringing the complete series of 46 extraordinary woodblock prints together in the UK for the first time.
Although originally conceived as 36 views, the series proved so popular that Hokusai added a further ten prints, creating one of the most celebrated achievements in the history of Japanese art.
My good friend Jennifer Scott, Director of Dulwich Picture Gallery, and the exceptional team deserve enormous congratulations for bringing this remarkable exhibition to London.
Hokusai's genius lies not only in his extraordinary compositions and mastery of colour, but in his ability to capture the drama, beauty and poetry of the natural world. His influence on generations of artists, particularly the Impressionists and beyond, is immeasurable.
From the iconic Great Wave off Kanagawa to the magnificent Red Fuji, these works remain as visually compelling today as when they were created nearly two centuries ago.
An exhibition I highly recommend!
Dulwich Picture Gallery, London
20 October 2026 – 17 January 2027
Featuring the complete series of 46 prints
Warm regards
James
James Nicholls
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