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Mad about Painting

Series: Ekphrasis
3.77 goodreads logo

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( 26 ratings, 2 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Mad about Painting by Katsushika Hokusai is an exploration of the iconic Japanese artist's life and work. The book delves into Hokusai's profound passion for painting, revealing the influences and techniques that defined his masterpieces. It offers readers an insightful look into his creative journey, highlighting his enduring impact on the art world.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this collection of artworks if you're captivated by the beauty and intricacies of traditional Japanese art. Famous for his stunning use of colour and detail, Hokusai's work provides a fascinating insight into Japanese culture and history, making it a perfect choice for art enthusiasts and cultural history aficionados.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Best known for his iconic print Under the Wave off Kanagawa, also known as the Great Wave, Katsushika Hokusai was a revolutionary printmaker. His mastery of ukiyo-e in the nineteenth century has inspired generations of artists since, and his works exposed the world to the delicate beauty and power of Japanese woodblock technique. In addition to his remarkable artistic output, Hokusai was also a dedicated teacher who sought to pass down his deep understanding of color and painting to practicing artists through immensely detailed written tutorials. Here, for the first time in centuries, are excerpts from his manuals, many available for the first time in English. It is an invaluable insight into the psyche of a true master, and a rare personal account of an artist's life during a fascinating period in Japan's history.

Connecting Hokusai's prints from the Edo period to manga, author Ryoko Matsuba foregrounds Hokusai's contributions to Japanese creative expression from the 1800s to today. Also included in this book: Vincent Van Gogh's letter about Hokusai's Great Wave and the contemporary artist Ikeda Manabu's concise observations about Hokusai's lasting influence.

Series: Ekphrasis

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  • Mad about Painting
    Best known for his iconic print Under the Wave off Kanagawa, also known as the Great Wave, Katsushika Hokusai was a revolutionary printmaker. His mastery of ukiyo-e in the nineteenth century has inspired generations of artists since, and his works exposed the world to the delicate beauty and power of Japanese woodblock technique. In addition to his remarkable artistic output,...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Mad about Painting offers a fresh perspective on the legendary Japanese printmaker Katsushika Hokusai, highlighting his artistic genius through newly translated painting manuals he dictated before his death in 1849. Despite the instructional focus of these manuals, the book reveals unexpected and delightful insights, adding a human touch to this mythical figure. It is praised for making the often technical field of art history accessible and engaging.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781644230879

Publisher: David Zwirner

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 May 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: David Zwirner

Illustration: 20 Illustrations

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Ryoko Matsuba

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 108.0mm

Height: 178.0mm

Weight: 140g

Pages: 168

About the Author

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) was born in Edo (present-day Tokyo), Japan, and was known by at least thirty names during his lifetime. In 1798, he declared his artistic independence and officially adopted the name "Hokusai." From that point until his death in 1849, he worked in three distinct formats: single-sheet prints, book illustrations, and multicolor paintings. In around 1831, when he was in his early seventies, he produced his most celebrated print series, Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji, which includes the Great Wave, the painting for which he is best known. Numerous copies of these works may be found in public and private collections outside of Japan, and Hokusai's rich artistic legacy continues to draw attention and admiration around the world to this day.

Ryoko Matsuba is a specialist in Edo period print culture. She is currently a lecturer in Japanese Digital Arts and Humanities at the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, University of East Anglia. She was a curatorial contributor to two major exhibitions at the British Museum: Hokusai: Beyond the Great Wave (2017) and The Citi Exhibition: Manga (2019), for which she co-authored the exhibition catalogue.

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  • How to Draw Like Hokusai
    Celebrated for his dramatic and beautiful Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji landscape woodblock prints, which included Under the Wave off Kanagawa and Fine Wind, Clear Morning, Hokusai also applied his phenomenal artistic skill to creating a series of drawing lessons. These lessons capture the beauty and style of his art, yet can easily be followed by beginners.His first volume of...
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  • Hokusai's Fuji
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