The Great Wave

'Under the Wave off Kanagawa', as the actual title of the woodblock print reads, was created by Hokusai in 1830/32. The work belongs to his most famous series of woodblock prints, the '36 Views of Mount Fuji.'

The 'Great Wave' is an icon of art, the motif world-famous, the interpretation multi-layered. In the background rests the sacred Mount Fuji, while in the foreground a huge wave seems to break over fishing boats. The image has been interpreted as embodying both the beauty and the destructive power of nature, as a metaphor for the transience of human life, and as a symbol of the West's intrusion into Japan. The work is impressive evidence of Hokusai's artistic mastery. It served as a source of inspiration for artists of Impressionism, Japonism, and other modern art movements. Today, it is not only considered Japan's most famous work of art, but also a global icon.

In 2023, the Bavarian State Library was able to purchase the image from a private collection. The print marks the conclusion and culmination of a series of acquisitions of works by Hokusai.

To the press release 'The "Great Wave" washes over the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek'