Flat fish and pink 

Katsushika Hokusai created this painting, titled "Flat fish and pink," using ink and colour on paper. Observe the diptych's composition: on the left, a frog perched on a rock; on the right, two flatfish. Hokusai masterfully uses asymmetrical balance, creating a visual tension that animates the scene. The subdued palette enhances the natural forms, allowing for an appreciation of texture and line. Hokusai destabilizes traditional artistic values by juxtaposing creatures from different realms. The work challenges conventional notions of beauty and representation. Semiotically, each element – the frog, fish, flowers – operates as a sign, contributing to a complex network of meanings. The formal quality of asymmetrical balance in this diptych creates tension but also a sense of harmony, reflecting broader philosophical concerns about nature and representation. This artwork opens ongoing interpretation and reinterpretation.