Hokusai: Inspiration and Influence

MFA Boston Opens March 26

By: MFA - Jan 17, 2023

Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa?oki nami?ura), also known as the Great Wave, All Photographs © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

How to Wrap Five Waves, 1994–95 John Cederquist (American, born in 1946.

Yoshitsune's Horse?washing Falls at Yoshino in Yamato Province (Wash? Yoshino Yoshitsune uma arai no taki), from the series A Tour of Waterfalls in Various Provinces (Shokoku taki meguri), about 1832.

Japanese Waterfall (repeat pattern based on Ukiyo?e Japanese print), 1925 Loïs Mailou Jones (American, 1905–1998) Opaque watercolor on boardGift of the Loïs Mailou Jones Pierre?Noël Trust * © Lois Mailou Jones Pierre?Noel Trust

Fine Wind, Clear Weather (Gaif? kaisei), also known as Red Fuji, from the series Thirty?six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanj?rokkei), about 1830–31

Watanabe no Gengo Tsuna and Inokuma Ny?d? Raiun, from an untitled series of warriors in combat Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760–1849), about 1833–35

MARCH 26–JULY 16, 2023

Hokusai: Inspiration and Influence

 Thanks to the popularity of the instantly recognizable Great Wave—cited everywhere from book covers and Lego sets to anime and emoji—Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) has become one of the most famous and influential artists in the world. This major exhibition organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), takes a new approach to the work of the versatile master, pairing more than 100 of his woodblock prints, paintings, and illustrated books from the MFA’s renowned collection with more than 200 works by his teachers, students, rivals, and admirers. These unique juxtapositions demonstrate Hokusai’s impact through the centuries and around the globe—seen in works by, among others, his daughter Katsushika ?i, his contemporaries Utagawa Hiroshige and Utagawa Kuniyoshi, and modern and contemporary artists including Loïs Mailou Jones, John Cederquist and Yoshitomo Nara.

Timed-entry exhibition tickets (general admission included) will go on sale February 8 at 10 am for MFA members and February 14 at 10 am for the general public. Member Preview will take place from March 22–25.

“Hokusai: Inspiration and Influence” is sponsored by UNIQLO USA. Generously supported by the MFA Associates / MFA Senior Associates. Additional support from the Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Exhibition Fund, the Museum Council Artist in Residency Program Fund, the Dr. Terry Satsuki Milhaupt Fund for Japanese Textiles, the MFA Associates / MFA Senior Associates Exhibition Endowment Fund, the Patricia B. Jacoby Exhibition Fund, and the Alexander M. Levine and Dr. Rosemarie D. Bria-Levine Exhibition Fund.