“Shell Gathering” painted by Katsushika Hokusai

"Shell Gathering" by Katsushika Hokusai




The theme of clamming is often depicted in ukiyo-e. This work is well drawn to the end, and the mountains in the distance are casually eye-catching. Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) painted the mountains on the right side of the picture in the style of an ink painting. The mountains on the left, however, are painted in a Western-style. The sticky sky is also reminiscent of Western-style paintings in Japan at that time. In other words, this work uses Japanese, Chinese, and European paintings. It is hard to say whether it is a whim or a deliberate intention, but there is no doubt that this is a masterpiece that conveys a part of Hokusai’s extraordinary study of painting techniques.

Title: Shell Gathering

Author: Katsushika Hokusai

Year: Early 19th century

Size: 86.3cm×54.3cm

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