Schetsen van Hokusai - deel 6 1820 - 1878

This is the sixth volume of “Sketches by Hokusai,” a series of sketchbooks by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, who lived from 1760 to 1849. The "Hokusai Manga," as they’re known, appeared during a time of significant social and economic change in Japan. Hokusai was born in Edo, present-day Tokyo, during the Edo period. His work captures the burgeoning popular culture and the lives of ordinary people. In contrast to the idealized images of the elite, these sketchbooks were aimed at a broad audience, offering a glimpse into everyday life, nature, and the fantastical. Hokusai's sketches cover a wide range of subjects, from landscapes and animals to people from all walks of life, rendered in a playful, expressive style. The artist was deeply interested in depicting the world as he saw it, infusing his work with his own observations and experiences. Hokusai’s sketches provided an opportunity to develop alternative narratives and a democratic representation of Japanese society, a testament to art's capacity to reflect and shape societal values.