ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Hokusai Exhibition at Rome's Ara Pacis Museum

exhibition · 2026-05-05

An exhibition at the Museo dell'Ara Pacis in Rome traces the legacy of Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), the ukiyoe master. The show features iconic works including views of Mount Fuji and two versions of 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa'. It also highlights the influence of Hokusai's contemporary Keisan Eisen, whose depictions of geishas and courtesans inspired Vincent van Gogh. Hokusai's later meticulous studies of animals and plants demonstrate his mastery of detail. The exhibition underscores the phenomenon of japonisme and Hokusai's enduring, mysterious appeal.

Key facts

  • Exhibition at Museo dell'Ara Pacis, Rome
  • Focuses on Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)
  • Includes views of Mount Fuji and two versions of 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa'
  • Features works by Keisan Eisen, about 20 years younger than Hokusai
  • Eisen's art inspired Vincent van Gogh
  • Van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo in 1888 about Japanese art's clarity
  • Hokusai's later works show meticulous detail of animals and plants
  • Exhibition highlights japonisme and Hokusai's timeless appeal

Entities

Artists

  • Katsushika Hokusai
  • Keisan Eisen
  • Vincent van Gogh
  • Bruno Munari
  • Giulia Andioni

Institutions

  • Museo dell'Ara Pacis
  • Artribune
  • Kawasaki Isago no Sato Museum

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • Edo
  • Kanagawa
  • Mount Fuji
  • Japan

Sources