Whaling off the Goto Islands

Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760-1849)

Date

c. 1831-33

Medium

Color woodblock print; chuban

Small boats and swimmers surround a whale in choppy dark water, the whole scene compressed into tight, rhythmic waves. It reads as pure pattern from a distance and rewards a closer look.

• Museum-sourced, public domain (CC0)
• Printed and shipped in the US
• Museum record at Art Institute of Chicago

Furnishing a whole wall? Let the curator hang a set in this style