Le Pavillon Sazai du temple des cinq cents rakan (stretched canvas)

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.