Fujiwara clan : de parels van eb en vloed en de Fujiwara zeis c. 1822

This woodblock print, "Fujiwara clan : de parels van eb en vloed en de Fujiwara zeis," was created by Katsushika Hokusai. The immediate visual impact comes from the surreal combination of geometric and organic forms. Two large spheres dominate the composition, their swirling concentric circles drawing the eye. Beneath these orbs, a draped cloth patterned with floral motifs and geometric borders cascades down, supported by what appears to be stylized legs. The artist presents a disquieting juxtaposition: the spheres, with their hypnotic patterns, challenge our perception of depth and form. The patterned cloth disrupts any sense of naturalism. The print destabilizes established categories of representation. The viewer is left to ponder the semiotic interplay between the image and the inscription, inviting us to question fixed meanings and engage with new ways of thinking about representation. It’s this dynamic interplay of form and meaning that makes Hokusai’s print so compelling.