Katsushika Hokusai
1760-1849 · Japanese (Edo/Tokyo) · Ukiyo-e / Edo Period
Known for: Creator of The Great Wave off Kanagawa, one of the most reproduced images in world art
Hokusai was restless and obsessive, changing his name over 30 times and moving house 93 times. He produced over 30,000 works from age 6 until his death at 89. He called himself 'The Old Man Mad About Painting' and claimed nothing before age 70 was worth anything.
He lived in poverty, was perpetually in debt, and once survived a lightning strike. His Great Wave is one of humanity's most reproduced images and profoundly influenced the French Impressionists.
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