Honderd gezichten op de berg Fuji Possibly 1876

Curator: This intriguing artwork we're looking at is titled "Honderd gezichten op de berg Fuji," or "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji," possibly from 1876, and crafted by Katsushika Hokusai. It’s a watercolor print held here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by how intimate it feels. It's not just a single image, but a whole set bound together—almost like holding a story in your hands, wouldn't you say? Curator: Precisely. Each volume likely contains various depictions of Mount Fuji, showcasing its form under different conditions and from different angles, playing with light, perspective and form. We can assume these bound books reveal Hokusai's almost obsessive fascination with this single subject. Editor: You see, the binding and aged paper also highlight an interest in Eastern bookmaking traditions, doesn't it? The composition emphasises the tactile quality of this artwork as an object in itself, rather than merely a holder of images. The light yellow is particularly arresting as well: not unlike the colour of raw silk, a semiotic link with the Far East? Curator: Yes, absolutely. He utilizes the Ukiyo-e style masterfully. Beyond simply depicting the mountain, it invokes the spiritual significance it holds within Japanese culture. He doesn't just show you the mountain; he helps you understand its enduring presence. Editor: There's a sense of seriality at work here too: as one might imagine, the very act of iterating different states creates this possibility for symbolic resonance. It encourages the viewer to dwell upon subtle differences, and grasp how an object—here, the sacred mountain Fuji—can exist within an infinite register. It all has to do with our act of interpretation. Curator: His skill lies in using simple watercolors to evoke the majesty and ever-changing moods of nature. Looking closer reveals this depth—a meditative engagement that makes you want to sit with Fuji, through every season. Editor: Agreed. A very engaging introduction to an enduring legacy—the object contains a certain degree of both the artist's desire and a sense of our desire for understanding.