The Great Wave at Kanagawa

by
Katsushika Hokusai

The Great Wave at Kanagawa has always been one of my favorite pieces of art and is a classic example of Japanese woodblock printing. The print depicts a massive wave threatening to capsize two tiny fishing boats with Mt. Fuji as the backdrop.

The color palette in particular grabs me. The deep, dark blue of the wave creates a sharp contrast with the bright white of the sea foam. Hokusai does not blend these colors, but treats them as individual layers, further adding to the epic effect of the wave.

But the color of the sky I think is the most interesting. The sky looks warm, hopeful and almost placid at the scene. The dark cloud around Mt. Fuji appears far away and gives me the sense that the two boats are not doomed, but actually have a favorable chance of returning home if they can just make it over the wave.