Schetsen van Hokusai - deel 2 1819 - 1878

This is volume two of Hokusai’s Sketches, made in Japan during the first half of the 19th century. Better known for his woodblock prints, Hokusai was an artist trained in the traditions of Japanese art and he was deeply engaged with the culture of his time. His work was not only aesthetically pleasing but also served as a record of social life. Here we see a glimpse into Hokusai's world, the very notebook in which he developed his ideas and techniques. Sketchbooks like this one provided artists with a space to experiment and refine their skills. In many ways they are the equivalent to the artist's studio. They also became important tools in the development of a visual language that was disseminated widely. The Rijksmuseum and other institutions play a crucial role in preserving and displaying such artifacts, enabling us to understand the processes of artistic creation and cultural exchange that shape our world.