Fuji through Flowers (Kakan no Fuji): Detached page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 1 Possibly 1834 - 1835

Editor: Here we have Hokusai's "Fuji through Flowers", a page from his "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji." The composition is striking, with this strong diagonal line bisecting the scene. What do you make of the formal elements at play? Curator: Note the interplay of textures, from the meticulously rendered blossoms to the solid mass of Mount Fuji. The diagonal thrust creates a dynamic tension, yes, but consider how the building on the right anchors the composition, providing a structured counterpoint to the natural forms. Editor: So, it's not just about the dynamic line, but how the elements balance each other? I hadn't considered that. Curator: Precisely. The negative space, too, contributes to the overall harmony. By attending to these formal relationships, we gain a deeper understanding of Hokusai's artistic intent. Editor: Thanks for pointing that out, I'll look closer at the balance and use of space.