DescriptionThe Property of a GentlemanKatsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa-oki nami-ura), also known as The Great WaveEdo period, 19th century
woodblock print, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjurokkei), signed Hokusai aratame Iitsu hitsu (Brush of Iitsu, changed from Hokusai), published by Nishimura Yohachi (Eijudo), blue outline, late 1831
Horizontal oban: 25.8 x 37.9 cm., 10⅛ x 15 in. Condition reportGood impression and colour, some soiling overall and light creasing, paper thinning in places, some old restorations with some slight associated re-touching, slight wear to paper edges, unidentified red collector's seal to the reverse lower left corner.
Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.Saleroom NoticeThe seller of lots with this symbol has been guaranteed a minimum price from one auction or a series of auctions. Please refer to the online catalogue for information on guaranteed property. Please note this lot is subject to an irrevocable bid. Please refer to the online catalogue for information on irrevocable bids.Catalogue noteKatsushika Hokusai’s masterpiece Under the Wave off Kanagawa (the ‘Great Wave’) is as immediately striking today as it must have been when it first appeared in late 1831, when it was published as part of the set ‘Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji’ (Fugaku sanjurokkei). The series was a sensational success at the time, proving so popular that after the completion of the first thirty-six prints of the series title an additional ten were added bringing the total of a complete set to forty-six, even though the title was not modified.
The main subject of the design, the ‘Great Wave’, towers up and crests over forming claw-like extensions which reach towards the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji dwarfed below; the sacred mountain revealed for a moment in the well of the wave. The oarsmen of three skiffs (oshiokuri-bune) struggle against the overwhelming force of the wave as they head away from Edo to meet fishermen with fresh catches of fish to return to the capital to sell in the markets.
No other Japanese print is more internationally renowned, occupying an iconic place in modern visual culture. The perfect balance of the composition, combined with the universally understood concept of the struggle of man against the monumental forces of nature are elements that contribute to its enduring popularity.
Other impressions in museum collections include:
The British Museum, museum number 1937,0710,0.147, go to:https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_1937-0710-0-147
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession number 21.6765, go to:https://collections.mfa.org/objects/234428
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET), New York, accession number JP10, go to:https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/60000586
DescriptionThe Property of a GentlemanKatsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa-oki nami-ura), also known as The Great WaveEdo period, 19th century
woodblock print, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjurokkei), signed Hokusai aratame Iitsu hitsu (Brush of Iitsu, changed from Hokusai), published by Nishimura Yohachi (Eijudo), blue outline, late 1831
Horizontal oban: 25.8 x 37.9 cm., 10⅛ x 15 in. Condition reportGood impression and colour, some soiling overall and light creasing, paper thinning in places, some old restorations with some slight associated re-touching, slight wear to paper edges, unidentified red collector's seal to the reverse lower left corner.
Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.Saleroom NoticeThe seller of lots with this symbol has been guaranteed a minimum price from one auction or a series of auctions. Please refer to the online catalogue for information on guaranteed property. Please note this lot is subject to an irrevocable bid. Please refer to the online catalogue for information on irrevocable bids.Catalogue noteKatsushika Hokusai’s masterpiece Under the Wave off Kanagawa (the ‘Great Wave’) is as immediately striking today as it must have been when it first appeared in late 1831, when it was published as part of the set ‘Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji’ (Fugaku sanjurokkei). The series was a sensational success at the time, proving so popular that after the completion of the first thirty-six prints of the series title an additional ten were added bringing the total of a complete set to forty-six, even though the title was not modified.
The main subject of the design, the ‘Great Wave’, towers up and crests over forming claw-like extensions which reach towards the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji dwarfed below; the sacred mountain revealed for a moment in the well of the wave. The oarsmen of three skiffs (oshiokuri-bune) struggle against the overwhelming force of the wave as they head away from Edo to meet fishermen with fresh catches of fish to return to the capital to sell in the markets.
No other Japanese print is more internationally renowned, occupying an iconic place in modern visual culture. The perfect balance of the composition, combined with the universally understood concept of the struggle of man against the monumental forces of nature are elements that contribute to its enduring popularity.
Other impressions in museum collections include:
The British Museum, museum number 1937,0710,0.147, go to:https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_1937-0710-0-147
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession number 21.6765, go to:https://collections.mfa.org/objects/234428
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET), New York, accession number JP10, go to:https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/60000586
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
